Singapore, 26 August 2014 (Tuesday) – Singapore Management University (SMU) and the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a framework of partnership that will facilitate cooperation, including the co-development of courses, and collaboration in teaching and research.

The MOU signing ceremony held today at SMU was represented by signatories: Captain Subhangshu Dutt, Chairman, ICS Singapore Committee; and Associate Professor Annie Koh, SMU’s Vice President, Business Development and External Relations, and Academic Director of SMU International Trading Institute (ITI@SMU).

ICS is the only internationally-recognised professional body in the maritime arena and it represents shipbrokers, ship managers and agents around the world.  Under the MOU, ICS accords the Shipping Business course under SMU’s Maritime Economics Concentration (MEC) an exemption from the ICS Introduction to Shipping course, which is a compulsory paper in ICS’ Professional Qualifying Examinations, or PQE.  This examination forms the pinnacle of the ICS qualification and is essential to becoming a member of ICS.  With 4,000 individuals and 120 company members worldwide, the ICS membership is internationally recognised as a mark of professionalism in the shipping industry.

Additionally, SMU and ICS have co-developed and will introduce a new course to SMU’s MEC syllabus entitled Dry Bulk Freight Markets in the new Academic Year starting August 2014.  The course will be taught by Mr Ron Wilson, Fellow of the Institute, an official Chartered Shipbroker, and an Education Officer with ICS.

“Our relationship with SMU began eight years ago when we started teaching the Shipping Business course to the University’s undergraduates.  It has been a tremendously rewarding experience, and we get a great sense of satisfaction to learn that the course is today a very popular module among students of ITI@SMU.  We are excited to bring this relationship to the next level,” said Captain Subhangshu Dutt.

“It is our privilege to partner with the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, an internationally-recognised professional body which is well-regarded in the international maritime industry.  The exemption accorded to SMU students by ICS enables our students in the International Trading Concentration (ITC) and Maritime Economics Concentration (MEC) programmes to advance one step closer towards becoming a member of a global network of shipping professionals.  This accelerated pathway to ICS membership certainly supports SMU students’ entry into the thriving maritime industry ecosystem as Singapore develops into an International Maritime Centre,” said Associate Professor Annie Koh.

[Photo: (L-R) Associate Professor Annie Koh and Captain Subhangshu Dutt at the MOU signing ceremony.]