Shipbuilding Institute of Polytechnic Surabaya (SHIPS) is vocational-based higher education institution, focusing on shipbuilding and technology for marine-related industries. An independent institution since 2014, SHIPS is the only public polytechnic in Indonesia dealing totally with shipbuilding.

Surabaya is the centre of Indonesia’s maritime development and home to the country’s biggest shipyard. SHIPS’s mission is to support the maritime sector and its supporting industries, such as ship components and hospitality.

As a polytechnic, SHIPS provides focused technical training and applied problem solving alongside research and classroom education. The SHIPS philosophy prioritises ‘learning by doing’, while bridging the gap between practically experienced technicians and academically educated engineers.

SHIPS’s long term goal is to open a ship teaching factory, realising ‘learning by doing’ to its fullest extent. The institution believes this is part of their role to support the Indonesian economy by producing small to medium size of ships to meet significant demand from coastal areas in the region.

SHIPS currently offers qualifications up to the level of bachelor degree, however the institution is authorised to award doctorate degrees. In 2017 the institution plans to begin offering a master’s degree in maritime engineering.

SHIPS have collaborated with many universities in South Korea, France, Malaysia, Canada, and Germany, focusing on Asian countries for future collaborations- China and Korea in particular. The institution will soon send all lecturers to get international certification for their specific roles, such as piping and welding engineer and crane inspector, as part of the ‘learning by doing’ philosophy – welding students will be taught only by experienced and certified welders.