Indonesia'€™s ties to the seas are meaningful, with seas accounting for about 70 percent of the nation'€™s total area.

In recognizing this important fact, President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo is prioritizing the maritime sector in his working program through various measures, including devising a sea-toll construction project.

The sea toll seeks to maximize the efficiency of various sea transportation facilities like ports, ships and the maritime logistics system. An efficient sea transportation system is expected to equalize the price of basic necessities across Indonesia, currently prone to fluctuations due to logistics issues.

Five important ports in Indonesia will be developed within the next four years. There is also the need for 83 large container ships, 500 traditional ships and 26 pioneer ships in order to make the president'€™s vision come true.

The ships, however, mean nothing if nobody is there to operate them. Indonesia'€™s wide maritime area, unfortunately, is not equipped with an adequate amount of human resources. According to data from the Transportation Ministry, Indonesia'€™s maritime schools are currently capable of producing only 5 percent of the total number of sailors needed by Indonesia, which amounts to 69,000 people.

Djarum Foundation recognizes the importance of the issue. This is why the foundation, in cooperation with PT Bank Sumitomo Mitsui Indonesia (SMBCI) and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), two of Japan'€™s biggest banking institutions, is currently making an effort to create professional sailors to help materialize Indonesia'€™s maritime vision.

Honored guests: Students greet officials and representatives of sponsoring organizations.

The foundation has signed a memorandum of understanding with the banks for a partnership in community development projects in Indonesia. During the initial stage of the partnership, they have recently opened two new expertise packages, namely nautical studies and marine engineering, for the maritime study program at Wisudha Karya vocational school in Kudus, Central Java; the only vocational school in Indonesia having full mission bridge simulator.

The curriculum of the two packages adheres to a standard set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The MOU signing as well as the dedication of the new study packages at the school was held on
March 26, witnessed by representatives from Djarum Foundation and SMBC as well as Kudus regent H. Musthofa and Transportation Ministry maritime subdivision head Weku Frederik Karuntu.

'€œDjarum Foundation has been executing programs aiming at increasing the quality of vocational schools since 2012,'€ Djarum Foundation program director Primadi H. Serad said.

He continued that the maritime vocational curriculum was part of the superior expertise package that the foundation developed with SMBC.

The opening of the new maritime expertise packages is expected to support the government'€™s maritime program as well as boost Indonesia'€™s role as the connector of global trade routes.

Signed, sealed, delivered: Djarum Foundation president director Victor Hartono, Kudus regent H. Musthofa and SMBC Indonesia president director Kazuhisa Miyagawa sign the commemorative plaque, witnessed by Transportation Ministry maritime subdivision head Capt. Weku Frederik Karuntu.

Full speed ahead: Student cadets focus on the job at hand as they train at Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang.

Seeking direction: Expert advice in the chart room of SMK Wisudha Karya.

Nuts and bolts: Students learn the ins and outs of ship engines at SMK Wisudha Karya.

Taking control: Student cadets of SMK Wisudha Karya take part in work experience program at Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang.

A cut above: SMBC managing director Masayuki Shimura cuts the ceremonial flower garland to officially inaugurate the nautical study programs.
- photos courtesy of Djarum Foundation