[Singapore, 16 January 2014 (Thursday)] – Two universities in Singapore and Denmark, both leading nations in the global shipping industry, have joined forces to collaborate on the development of their respective maritime programmes to groom the next generation of industry talent. Under the partnership, students from Singapore Management University (SMU) and Denmark’s Copenhagen Business School (CBS) will participate in a structured exchange programme where they will eventually spend a full term at the partner university and benefit from a rich blend of academic knowledge and industry immersion.

SMU’s School of Economics and International Trading Institute@SMU launched the  Maritime Economic Concentration (MEC) in Academic Year 2013 (which began in August 2013) with 24 students in its first cohort; CBS will be launching its Bachelor of Science (BSc) in International Shipping and Trade in Summer 2014.  Both programmes share the common objective and vision of developing skilled maritime talents through strong co-development with the private sector, as well as experiential learning through industry engagements, overseas study missions and international exchanges.

CBS President, Professor Per Holten-Andersen, and SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, officiated the partnership agreement at a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony that was held today at SMU. The ceremony was witnessed by Her Excellency Berit Basse, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Singapore.

SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, said, “We are honoured and pleased to partner with Copenhagen Business School to enhance our respective maritime programmes. This is an exceptional opportunity for the undergraduates from both universities to gain greater insights into and knowledge of the thriving maritime industries of both our countries, and broaden their academic and intellectual horizons. The exposure will certainly give them a competitive advantage in their future maritime careers.”

“Singapore’s quality workforce and robust infrastructure has attracted about 130 global maritime operators and 5,000 service producers to set up operations here. To support the continued growth of our maritime industry, SMU is committed to meeting the sector’s need for competent local talents who have the aptitude, attitude and international outlook to succeed,” he added.

CBS President Professor Per Holten-Anderson said, “Internationalisation is one of the major forces shaping the Danish corporate sector. Therefore, CBS' strategy is to increase collaboration with important regions for knowledge and growth, and we are very pleased with our collaboration with SMU. Just like Denmark, Singapore has focused on building the best framework for the maritime sector and is a significant bridgehead for Danish business.”

“CBS’ BSc in International Shipping and Trade has been tailored for the business community; it is research-based and part of a series of new innovative university programmes created through international collaboration. Talented students are motivated to excel across continents and semesters.  This generates a valuable team spirit with a possibility of strong friendships and long-life networks,” he added.

Her Excellency Berit Basse, who graced the ceremony, commented, “The Royal Danish Embassy is very pleased with the ambitious collaboration between the SMU and CBS to collaborate on the development and introduction of their respective maritime programmes to develop the next generation of maritime talent.  In doing so they have also promptly realised the intention of the MOU signed by our two Governments in August 2012.

Denmark and Singapore are important maritime nations and have developed a strong partnership in the shipping arena. Leading Danish shipping companies and related marine companies are well-established and well respected on the island and are significant contributors to the maritime ecosphere in Singapore.  This is only possible due to the continuous strong support of the host country.

I would like to congratulate SMU and CBS for having designed interesting programmes that offer global students cutting edge knowledge to equip them to deal with the challenges of the shipping industry of the future.  At the same time the programmes also offer them a cross-cultural learning environment which I am sure they will find rewarding.”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), which champions maritime manpower development in Singapore, has also lent support to SMU’s MEC initiative through seed funding of up to S$4.3 million.  Chief Executive of MPA, Mr Andrew Tan, shared that, “MPA is pleased to support SMU’s MEC initiative as it further contributes to the development of Singapore as an international maritime centre.  SMU’s partnership with CBS not only testifies to the strong linkages between both educational institutes but also highlights the value that Singapore’s maritime industry can offer to our partners such as Denmark.”

Students from both universities will be required to complete one year of maritime studies in their home universities before they embark on the exchange programme.

Additional reference

• About the BSc in International Shipping and Trade at Copenhagen Business School: http://www.cbs.dk/en/study/bachelor/bsc-in-international-shipping-and-trade

• About the Maritime Economic Concentration at Singapore Management University: http://iti.smu.edu.sg/fact-sheet-maritime-economics-concentration

About Copenhagen Business School

Copenhagen Business School (CBS) was established in 1917 and became integrated as an institution of higher education in the Danish education system in 1965. Today CBS is regulated by the Danish Universities Act 2003 under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education.

CBS is one of the largest business schools in Europe with close to 20,000 students. CBS offers world-class research-based degree programmes at undergraduate, graduate and PhD levels as well as executive and other post experience programmes. CBS creates and provides original and relevant knowledge through publishing, participation in the public debate, consultancy and our expert database Experts@CBS. CBS develops and shares knowledge in partnership with other universities, enterprises and organisations and contributes to the development of business and society.

CBS is the Danish member of CEMS, The Global Alliance in Management Education, since 2000. CBS has been accredited by EQUIS and since 2007 also by AMBA. On 1. August 2011 CBS was accredited by AACSB, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, as the first school in Scandinavia. CBS has thus acquired “The Triple Crown”, an acknowledgement only shared by 59 business schools worldwide.

Media Contact

CBS
Mr. Mikael Koldby
Press Consultant, External Affairs
Tel.: +45 3815 3722
Email: mk.ea [at] cbs.dk

SMU
HUANG Peiling (Ms)
Senior Assistant Director, Corporate Communications
DID: (65) 6828 0964 / Mobile: (65) 9845 3361
Email: plhuang [at] smu.edu.sg