The cooperation with the Batam Polytechnic was part of the British Government's Skills for Prosperity program
Batam (ANTARA) - The United Kingdom Government is supporting the development of human resources (HR) in the maritime field through cooperation with several polytechnics in Indonesia, including Batam Polytechnic, Riau Islands. The cooperation with the Batam Polytechnic was part of the British Government's Skills for Prosperity program, British Embassy Jakarta's Head of Second Cities, Network and Strategy, Samuel Hayes said in Batam, Wednesday.

"We will bring experts here. There will be cooperation with Polytechnics, for example, for collaboration in the curriculum, and so on," he stated.

Through this program, the institute will help the curriculum, standards and qualifications for those who study port logistics, shipping, shipbuilding and maritime economic improvement from coastal communities.

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"For example in the maritime field, maritime management here should use technology. As a result, Batam can compete with outsiders," he said.

In addition to the Batam Polytechnic, the British government also established similar collaborations with the Polytechnic in Manado, Semarang and Surabaya.

"We realize that Indonesia is big, and has a lot of potential apart from Jakarta. Like Batam, which is close to Singapore. So we want to collaborate with Batam in various fields. First of all, in education," Hayes explained.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Batam Amsakar Achmad welcomed the efforts of the United Kingdom government to support local education.

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"Cooperation with the Batam Polytechnic, will improve welfare. They have signed an MoU at the national level, including in its objective the Batam Polytechnic," he said.

The deputy mayor was optimistic that the cooperation would increase the capacity of youth in Batam.

"There will be an increase in HR capacity. Hopefully, the younger generation will become open-minded," he said.

Cooperation in education would also help alleviate poverty in Batam it is believed.

On the occasion, the deputy mayor also ensured the ease of investing in Batam.

Likewise, with tourism, Batam would welcome every foreign tourist including the British traveler, he said.

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Translator: Yuniati, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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