The Indonesian Ministry of Marine and Fisheries is initiating a strategic partnership with various South Korean government agencies and universities to enhance the development of marine and fisheries human resources and to safeguard Indonesian workers in this sector. This collaboration involves the Korean Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology (KIMFT), Korea Seafarers Welfare and Employment Center (KOSWEC), Pukyong National University (PKNU), the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS), and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of Korea (MOF).
Head of the Marine and Fisheries Human Resources Training and Development Agency, I Nyoman Radiarta, confirmed in Jakarta that these partnerships are part of a pilot project for establishing the Indonesia-Korea Global Leader Talent Development Support Center in Busan. These alliances aim to serve as a hub for bilateral collaboration in education, training, certification, and placement of Indonesian fisheries workers in South Korea, supported financially by the Korean Official Development Assistance (ODA).
The synergy between the ministry, KIMFT, and KOSWEC will facilitate technical training and certification programs for prospective Indonesian migrant workers, ensuring their skills and competencies are recognized within the South Korean fisheries industry. This partnership also involves the exchange of data and information on Indonesian migrant workers in the fisheries sector, aiming to enhance legal protection and workplace safety for these workers.
Radiarta views the strategic partnership with South Korea as a significant step towards building an integrated marine and fisheries human resource development ecosystem, encompassing education to work placement. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that Indonesian maritime talents are not only well-prepared but also fully protected when working abroad.
The collaboration with PKNU includes lecturer and student exchange programs, scholarships, joint seminars, and collaborative research within the framework of blue economy development. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) is also supporting the development of smart campuses and an industry-based vocational education system. These efforts aim to establish the Ocean Institute of Indonesia (OII) as a central hub for national maritime talent development.
The Ministry of Marine and Fisheries, along with the Ministry of National Development Planning, is actively working on preparing a strategic framework for the Global Leader Talent Development Support Center. They are finalizing the drafts of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) and enhancing coordination across various ministries and institutions within Indonesia.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://en.antaranews.com/news/354417/indonesia-south-korea-establish-fisheries-human-resources-partnership. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.