BHUBANESWAR: In a historic first, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will embark on a two-day visit to Odisha on Friday. This marks the first-ever visit by a head of state to the region and aims to bolster economic ties and explore collaborative opportunities between Singapore and Odisha.
Strengthening Partnerships
President Tharman will be accompanied by a nine-member delegation, including leaders from business and academic institutions. During his visit, he will hold discussions with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to identify mutual opportunities for collaboration.
One of the highlights of the visit will be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Odisha’s Skill Development and Technical Education (SD&TE) department and Singapore’s ITE Education Services (ITEES). The agreement will enhance the skill development ecosystem in Odisha, focusing on technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
Key Areas of Collaboration
The MoU aims to:
- Expand the World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar.
- Introduce training programs in hospitality, food and beverage operations, logistics, digital animation, healthcare assistance, and visual merchandising.
- Promote collaboration in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace technology, avionics, marine engineering, retail, electronics, semiconductor technology, and renewable energy.
Additionally, plans to establish a World Centre for Information Technology (WCIT) in Odisha will be discussed. This center will focus on areas like cybersecurity, cloud computing, blockchain, the Internet of Things, and data services.
Enhancing Technical Education
The agreement also includes knowledge support for setting up zonal industrial training institutes (ITIs) across the state. These institutes aim to:
- Increase intake capacity.
- Introduce new trades.
- Foster strong industry engagement.
The MoU will remain valid for five years starting January 17, 2025.
President Tharman’s Itinerary
President Tharman’s schedule includes:
- A meeting with Chief Minister Majhi on Friday.
- A visit to the World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar, where the MoU will be signed.
- A tour of the iconic Sun Temple at Konark on Saturday.
- A visit to Bharat Biotech’s vaccine manufacturing facility at Info Valley II later that afternoon.
This landmark visit is expected to open new avenues of collaboration and reinforce the relationship between Singapore and Odisha, benefiting both economies significantly.
