Singapore, 19 October 2015 | For immediate release

 

 

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) officially opens a new dedicated training facility at MPA Academy to raise maritime training in Singapore and across the globe. The new training facility, launched today by Mr Pang Kin Keong, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, is co-located with many of MPA’s divisions in PSA Building. This greatly improves accessibility for MPA officers.

 

Repositioned in 2014 to be a full-fledged academy with a focus on global maritime leadership development, the MPA Academy has since ran two new flagship programmes: The Advanced Maritime Leaders Programme, a global maritime leadership programme targeted at the C-suite level and the Port Management Programme for port masters, harbour masters and middle managers from maritime and port authorities.

 

Today also marks the commencement of the 5^th Maritime Public Leaders' Programme (MPLP) - organised by MPA Academy in partnership with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) under the Singapore Cooperation Programme[1]. Launched in 2011, the MPLP provides a platform for senior officials from maritime administrations from across the world to interact and exchange ideas with one another.  To date, more than 70 participants from over 40 countries have been trained under the MPLP.

 

The 5^th MPLP held from 19 to 23 October, will train another 18 participants and cover topics such as shipping economics, legal and institutional issues, public leadership, governance and issues of port and shipping. Lecturers and speakers will include professors from NTU, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy from the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

 

Apart from lectures and case studies, participants will visit Singapore’s port terminals and MPA’s Port Operations Control Centre to learn more about the intricacies behind managing one of the world’s busiest ports. Participants will also experience the Singapore Maritime Trails to better understand Singapore's maritime history from its days as a thriving trading harbour in the 14th century to the international maritime centre it is today.

 

Mrs Jiraporn Jantarasiri, Deputy Director General, Marine Department, Ministry of Transport Thailand said, "This is my first time participating in this programme that is interdisciplinary and brings together senior maritime officials from around the world to exchange knowledge and experiences, which will be useful for Thailand to take the maritime industry to another level. I would like to take this opportunity to thank MPA, NTU and MFA for making this programme happen.”

 

Lt Cdr Auden Nicholas, Commanding Officer, Antigua & Barbuda Coast Guard, Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force, who is attending the 5^th MPLP said, "I am anticipating a programme where invaluable insights will be shared among the distinguished participants and the very experienced facilitators.  I am also anxious to learn more about MPA’s outstanding leadership in the maritime sector and look forward to witnessing the innovation it is renowned for." 

 

Mr Laston G.W. Makuzula, Director of Marine Services, Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Marine Department, Malawi said, "I am very excited to be one of the fellowship recipients for the 5th Maritime Public Leaders’ Programme. I believe I will be the first Malawian national to attend such a prestigious programme and I eagerly anticipate learning a lot from it and from my fellow participants."

 

With more training programmes in the pipeline, the Academy will offer a holistic and interdisciplinary curriculum, covering maritime-related topics, practical insights and leadership training to enhance the skills of local and global maritime professionals[2].

 

“The new dedicated training facility at MPA Academy will provide many opportunities for maritime leaders and professionals to come together to share their best practices, exchange maritime knowledge, and network with one another. Looking ahead, MPA Academy will remain steadfast in its commitment to global maritime leadership development and continue to expand its partnerships with other centres of excellence,” said Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive, MPA.

 

To date, the Academy has trained over 1300 individuals from senior maritime officials to industry practitioners and MPA staff.

 

<End of release>

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[1] The Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) was established in 1992 to serve as the primary platform through which Singapore offers technical assistance to other countries.
[2] Please refer to Annex A for details of the MPA Academy’s programmes.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.

 

As the training arm of MPA, the MPA Academy was repositioned in 2014 to be a full-fledged academy with a focus on global maritime leadership training. The dedicated premises will serve the academy’s vision to be a global learning centre for maritime and port administration.  The academy’s mission is to enhance specialist skills and knowledge of MPA officers and to conduct flagship training programmes for overseas port and maritime officials, including supporting the training needs of the IMO as a council member.

 

 

For media queries, please contact:

Ms Jean Lim

Deputy Manager, Corporate Communications Department, MPA

DID: (65) 6375 1644
Email: Jean_Lim@mpa.gov.sg