President Calls to Strengthen Maritime Human Resources

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the director and ranks of the Semarang-based Indonesian State Maritime Polytechnic (Polimarin) to improve the quality of maritime human resources in the country.

During a press conference at the presidential office here on Monday, Polimarin Director Sri Tutie Rahayu remarked that the president had summoned her to discuss steps to strengthen maritime human resources.

"After President Jokowi's visit to Germany, the head of state summoned us to his office, and there we reported that Polimarin has three study programs to support Nawacita, or the nine-priority national development agenda," Rahayu explained.

According to Rahayu, Polimarin's study programs correlate to point one of Nawacita, which is to protect maritime interests, particularly concerning borders and natural resources.

She said the programs also correlated to point five of Nawacita to increase the quality of education and training through the "Smart Indonesia" program, with 12 years of compulsory and free education.

"We have the authority to issue international-level maritime certificates recognized by the world maritime institute," she affirmed, adding that a few months ago, she was assigned to establish the D4 Nautika program, the only one in Indonesia.

The four-year-old Polimarin has also forged "double degree" cooperation with several universities in Germany.

"Polimarin has established overseas cooperation with Sweden, South Korea, and New Zealand, and at home, it cooperates with the Navy, for character building; with the Custom and Excise, for basic safety training; and with private companies engaged in the maritime field," she added. (WDY)