From the Organizing Desk

The battle against covid, tested mankind’s resilience and unity, but with every staggering step we emerged tall as we assuredly tore away the last semblance of vulnerability and breathed unrestrained fresh air. The year 2022 came with a silver lining, as the dark clouds of uncertainty and pandemic gloom gradually dissipated. We the DMET-MERI Alumni, Singapore were quick to bounce back into action.

Come 2023 a year of hope, rejuvenation and freedom, it’s time the fellow DMETians got the ball rolling as we celebrate life and create new highs with these exclusive events.

The party for the year is just beginning with the DMETMERI Alumni, Singapore “12 th Reunion” on the 29 th of April at One Farrer Hotel. This will be an evening of revelry with delectable dishes, exotic drinks, congenial company, and extravaganzas galore with our celebrity performer Sugandha Mishra and the internationally acclaimed Emcee Rishi Budhrani!

We want the temperature soaring with sassy Ladies dressed to kill and snazzy Gents slaying it in smart casual.

Sunil Roy

Pranesh Kumar

Rupesh Kumar

Asheesh Sharma

Bollywood dance performances

Lucky Dips, and more

Let’s wear our dancing shoes and get in the groove to paint the night in shades of cool blue and pristine white for a peppy evening where new social and professional bonds are forged even as we soak in the festivities of the jamboree.

This party just got cooler with an overwhelming response for participation from our maritime partners to whom we express our sincere appreciation for lending their support in shaping up this event. As the year progresses keep your anticipation high with many more exciting events like the “Technical Meet”, “Family Day” and “Diwali Movie Night”.

We’ve sailed many a turbulent waters in this sea of life, ever since we left our alma mater our bond has stood the test of time and fortune, for it is as they say we stand together not for college but for life! - “Non-Collegium sed vitae Discimus!”

Cheers!

Organizing committee ▄

Organizing committee 2023

DMET- MERI Alumni (Singapore) President’s Message

Sanjiv Mishra (Roll Number 3806, Class of 1991)

Welcome to our annual day (12th reunion) of DMET-MERI Alumni (Singapore) Association. This annual day, we are bringing to you a series of entertainment programs including a Bollywood celebrity, a famous emcee and many engaging activities.

DMET-MERI Alumni (Singapore) is a NON-PROFIT organisation dedicated to building a network of DMETMERI Alumnus in Singapore to provide alumni networking opportunities, boost mutual collaborations and foster and promote the DMET-MERI brand equity. There are more than 300 alumni (maritime professionals) in Singapore working in different sectors of the maritime industry, primarily with ship management companies.

After 2 years of uncertainty and disruption caused due to the COVID catastrophe, 2022 was the year when we returned to some form of normalcy. We organised the long overdue 11th reunion in 2022, which turned out to be a huge success. It was attended by almost 400 people - 180 alumni, their spouses and many key sponsors. Although majority of the guests were from Singapore, we also welcomed a number of overseas Alumni and guests who flew in from countries such as the US, Dubai, India, UK and New Zealand. An opportunity to connect seniors, juniors and batchmates under one roof was created. A cadet and 2 members of the DMET Samvaad Team were also present at the event updating the Alumni on all the new comings of the college campus.

Apart from the quintessential dinner and dancing organised for the reunion, we also managed to schedule Diwali Movie Night on 30th October, which was attended by around 500 alumni and their families.

We continue to plan our regular events (technical meet, family day and movie nights) this year that can be followed up via WhatsApp broadcast and other channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) to get regular updates. Please ensure to save our WhatsApp number +65 8433 2312

We urge all the alumni from Singapore to use the GlueUp app/website to formally register as members and pay the applicable annual membership fee. Each alumnus has a unique user ID (their respective emails) which is already registered with us. If you have recently moved to Singapore or are facing any difficulty with GlueUp log-in, please write to membership@dmetalumnisg.com with your batch, roll number, cell phone so that we can provide the necessary support to you.

It was decided in the last AGM that all senior alumni of the 1980 pass out batch and earlier will be granted honorary memberships and therefore they do not have to pay the annual membership any more. We also inducted 4 new associate members for the year 2023. Our annual magazine is also available digitally on Issuu for wider coverage globally.

The Singapore chapter is maintaining good cooperation with the alma mater. We have contributed INR 1.5 lacs to the college this year for the Alumni night which was organised on 12th February. We are also sponsoring two cadets from the college campus to attend the 12th reunion.

These events cannot be organised at this magnitude without the necessary funds. I, on behalf of the executive committee, thank all sponsors who have been supporting us for the last many years in making our events extravagant. I would like to convey my special gratitude to the major sponsors (main, gold and silver) for their valuable contributions.

Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank each and every member of the committee, the entire alumni and everyone who has been contributing to the association in one way or the other in spite of their hectic schedules. Looking forward to your continuing support.

Bon voyage and have fun. Till next Alumni meet!

Yours sincerely,

Sanjiv Mishra

Director (Outgoing)

IMU, Kolkata Campus

Arun Kishore Eswara (Roll Number 5020, Class of 2001)

Dear Alumni,

I have handed over the responsibilities of campus Director, IMU Kolkata to Radm. (Dr.) Rangachari P J (Retd.) on 27th February 2023. Alumni can offer the support and interact with the new Director at director.kolkata@imu.ac.in

I wish him all the best during his tenure in the next three years. I continue my work at IMU Kolkata (erstwhile DMET / MERI) as Associate Professor – Marine Engineering taking care of placements, academics, research, projects and consultancy works in addition to completing my PhD thesis that has taken back seat all the while in shouldering additional duties.

My email ID is akeswara@imu.ac.in and eakishore@gmail. com

I have the following concern for our institution, which I felt needs to be conveyed to our community to draw their attention, motivate and find people to join working within and benefit IMU Kolkata in the long run. The timing of this article is apt to make an appeal to alumni to take up academic roles at the Indian Maritime University, which is a Central University under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Govt. of India. The University into which DMET / MERI Calcutta is amalgamated in 2008.

There is an urgent need for Alumni Support in IMU Kolkata

Campus to meet the demands of maritime engineering education.

The Indian Maritime University (IMU), Kolkata Campus, has been instrumental in shaping the maritime education landscape of India and producing top-class marine engineers and professionals. However, the institution is facing a severe shortage of quality faculty members, hindering the quality of education imparted to the students. This shortage of faculty is in part due to the reluctance of alumni to join the institution and contribute to its growth.

The New Education Policy (NEP) of India aims to promote a research-oriented culture in higher education institutions, but the implementation of this policy may not be enough to address the issues faced by the maritime engineering field. We are aware of how insignificant attention is paid in Indian academics for Maritime education. It needs no mention that not only the mainstream education, but our own alumni have shied away in pursuing development of the vertical in India. Maritime engineering is a practical and professional field that requires constant skill and technology upgradation, making it challenging to find quality teachers.

Public institution like IMU is much like a mini-India, where the stakeholders (alumni) are mired in their own busy work, have a lot of emotions, anxiety, admiration, but no commitment to take up the mantle. Everyone would like to see a leader to bring change, but do not step out of their comfort to face the real-world challenges to become one.

I understand that alumni may have their own reasons for not joining the institution, including lifestyle choices, family considerations, and financial commitments. However, I urge alumni to consider the impact their skills and knowledge can have on the next generation of maritime professionals.

By joining IMU Kolkata as faculty members, alumni can help shape the curriculum, impart valuable industry insights, and provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their careers. The institution needs alumni support to improve its day-to-day activities, academic programs, consultancy, research, brand promotion, and policy improvement.

I urge alumni to consider the long-term benefits of contributing to the institution that shaped them into the professionals they are today. By contributing to the development of IMU Kolkata, we can ensure that future generations of maritime professionals receive the quality education that we all urge for.

I invite alumni to fill in their application and compete to be a faculty at IMU Kolkata through the link provided. Your expertise and experience are invaluable assets that the institution desperately needs. Let us come together and support IMU Kolkata in meeting the demands of maritime engineering education and training.

I hope that you will consider joining IMU in this noble endeavor and contribute to the growth and development of IMU Kolkata. Your expertise and experience are invaluable assets that the institution desperately needs.

Please fill in your application and compete to be a faculty at IMU by scanning the QR code below: http://www.imu.edu.in/images/ recruitments/2023/Rectt_Assoc_ AsstProf_Advt_14042023.pdf

Thank you for your attention and support.

President Institute of Marine Engineers (India)

It is again that time of the year when DMET-MERI Alumni at Singapore organise their annual Reunion. After a brief gap necessitated due to Corona, the ritual of the Reunion restarted last year, and I am happy to note, continues this year too, on 29th April 2023.

The enthusiasm of the DMET-MERI Alumni of Singapore has always been praiseworthy and worthy of emulation. Their events are well spaced through the year, and looked forward to by all, be it the Diwali Movie Show and Dinner, New Years Eve Party or what have you. Other Associations across the globe could do well to take a page or two out of their book.

Differences of demographics, behaviours, career and age, all melt away during these meetings of alumni due to the overpowering bond of camaraderie that alumni harbour for their fellow college mates. Slowly, alumni from other countries have also started congregating here, for the wonderful opportunity to meet old friends and develop contacts during this annual get together. I am certain that within a short period of time, this once local reunion will become the global reunion for DMET-MERI Alumni.

With social media having taken the fancy of people across generations, the ability to stay connected has never been easier. The usage of various platforms available on the internet results in instantaneous networking and allows like-minded souls to interact regularly and hold discussions on common topics. These type of get togethers act as a catalyst and give an opportunity for all to first meet and then subsequently leverage existing social media to make the world an even smaller place to navigate.

The traditions of DMET-MERI engrained within its alumni results in immediate bonding, again irrespective of demographics, behaviours, career and age. The confidence in the abilities of a DMET-MERI graduate are not unfounded with a lot of alumni scaling heights in different parts of the globe in sphere of life they have opted for. The support system which is extended to other alumni is something which is admirable and needs to be seen to be believed.

With over 300 alumni located in one of the world’s largest maritime hubs, the opportunity for the Singapore alumni to make a tangible difference in international shipping through decision making is indeed immense. I am sure this would also extend to Alumni seizing the opportunity to contribute positively to Zero carbon shipping and conservation of the environment, and sustaining the environment for future generations. With Indians gradually taking on leadership roles across the globe, we can aim to contribute to be leaders in providing solutions to these problems.

The Institute of Marine Engineers (India) during the past few months has been able to register IMARE Singapore with the ROC and is committed to make its presence felt across the world. IMARE Singapore has been IME(I)’s first foray into global waters and we welcome all to become Members of the IME(I). IMARE Singapore has ambitious plans to serve Mariners in this corner of the world and the IME(I) will work to make this happen.

On this special occasion of the Singapore DMET-MERI reunion I take the opportunity to whole heartedly wish you and your families the very best in your endeavours.

May Lord Varuna be kind onto us and bless us all with his love and abundance.