DMET Samvaad’s Transformative Journey from 2025 to 2026: Bridging Generations, Building Futures
The strength of a maritime institution is not measured only by what is taught in classrooms, laboratories, workshops, and training ships. It is also measured by the connection it maintains with its alumni and the generations of maritime professionals who carry its legacy forward.
For Indian Maritime University, Kolkata Campus, formerly DMET-MERI, alumni represent decades of knowledge, professional experience, leadership, and institutional memory. Creating a meaningful connection between this experience and the aspirations of present-day cadets was the vision behind DMET Samvaad.
What started as an initiative to connect cadets with alumni and maritime professionals has evolved into a structured platform for maritime education, industry interaction, mentorship, leadership development, career guidance, and knowledge exchange.
The journey from 2025 to 2026 marked a significant phase in the growth of DMET Samvaad. Through industry sessions, alumni interactions, competitions, the first DMET Samvaad Model United Nations, NIRMAAN Model Exhibition, and the DMET Cadets journalism platform (www.dmetsamvaad.com), the initiative continued to work towards one central objective:
From Webinar Series to a Cadet Development Platform
DMET Samvaad is built around a simple principle: the knowledge and experience gained by maritime professionals should continuously return to the institution and benefit the next generation.
Initially developed as a webinar-based interactive series, DMET Samvaad has grown into a broader cadet development platform covering several important areas of maritime professional growth.
This approach recognises that the marine engineer of tomorrow requires much more than technical knowledge. Modern maritime professionals must understand technology, business, sustainability, regulations, leadership, finance, communication, and human factors.
Leadership Behind DMET Samvaad
The growth of DMET Samvaad has been supported by an experienced alumni advisory structure and dedicated cadet leadership.
The Advisory Board includes Shri Harsh Sinha, Shri Sachin Kumar Mahto, and Shri Sachin Saurav, whose guidance has helped strengthen the platform's vision and continuity.
During 2025 and 2026 (Currently), Kush Rana, Convenor of DMET Samvaad, and Pratyush Sharma, Co-Convenor, led the platform through an expanded programme of industry interactions and student initiatives.
The year included more than 10 industry and knowledge sessions along with:
DMET Samvaad Model United Nations
NIRMAAN Model Exhibition
DMET Samvaad Blog Writing Competition
Cadets Journalism Portal
Alumni and industry interactions
Career and mentorship initiatives
The initiative also received support from organisations and alumni associations including DMET-MERI Alumni Association Singapore, DMECA, DMET-MERI Alumni Association Hong Kong, DMET Club, DMICA Global, and AECDMET, along with institutional mentors.
Key DMET Samvaad Sessions from 2025 to 2026
1. Cadet Finance 101: Building a Strong Financial Foundation
The 2025 to 2026 journey began on 5 July 2025 with “Cadet Finance 101: Building a Strong Financial Foundation”, delivered by Shri Rajeev Kaushik, Financial Planning Mentor.
The session introduced cadets to financial planning and the unique financial considerations associated with a seafaring career, including taxation, multi-currency earnings, long contracts, savings, investment planning, and long-term wealth creation.
The session encouraged young maritime professionals to start financial planning early rather than waiting until later stages of their careers.
2. Building Maritime Startups in India
On 12 July 2025, Shri Prashant Gyan, Co-Founder of ShipSmith Group, delivered “Building Maritime Startups in India: From Concept to Global Footprint.”
His professional journey demonstrated how maritime experience can become the foundation for entrepreneurship.
The session highlighted opportunities available to marine engineers beyond traditional shipboard careers and showed how technical knowledge, problem-solving, discipline, and industry exposure can contribute to building maritime businesses.
3. Mariner to CEO: Exploring Alternative Career Pathways
On 12 August 2025, DMET Samvaad conducted “Mariner to CEO: Taking the First Step”, featuring Shri Jagmeet Makkar, Co-Founder of SkillsPlus Ltd., and Captain Pankaj Kapoor, Managing Partner at Quadrant Legal.
Their professional journeys demonstrated how maritime professionals can transition into areas such as maritime education, law, arbitration, policy, business, and leadership.
The session delivered an important message to cadets: a career at sea can become the foundation for a much wider professional journey.
4. Digitalisation and Sustainability in Shipping
On 28 August 2025, Shri Kaushik Seal, President of IMEI, delivered “Smart and Sustainable Shipping: How Digitalisation is Powering the Green Transition.”
The session explored data-driven systems, sensors, automation, predictive analytics, operational efficiency, and decarbonisation.
For future marine engineers, it highlighted how digitalisation and sustainability are becoming increasingly important in modern ship operations.
5. Renewable Energy and Sustainable Maritime Operations
DMET Samvaad also conducted Session 45, “Exploring Renewable Energy Solutions for Sustainable Maritime Operations.”
The session featured Mr. Yogesh Bahadur, DMET Class of 1973 to 1977 and former Managing Director of Pentacle Energy & Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd., as Keynote Speaker.
Mr. Prateek Khanna, DMET Class of 2007 to 2011, Director of Strategy and Planning at Yugen Infra and Founder of DMET Club, delivered a Special Address.
The discussion focused on renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, innovation, and the changing energy landscape.
6. Future of Global Ship Management
On 12 October 2025, Mr. Anubhav Garg, Executive Officer, NYK Line and CEO and Managing Director, NYK Shipmanagement, addressed cadets on “Future of Global Ship Management: Skills and Mindset for the Next Generation of Marine Engineers.”
As a DMET alumnus, his progression from Chief Engineer to executive leadership provided cadets with valuable insight into long-term career development and the importance of combining technical expertise with management skills.
7. Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing at Sea
On 8 February 2026, Session XLVII focused on “The Silent Crisis: Addressing Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Contemporary Seafarers.”
The session featured Mr. Sivanand Ray, Global Head of Crewing, Pacific Basin Shipping, with a Welcome Note by Rear Admiral Amit Bose (Retd.) and a Special Address by Shri Eswara Arun Kishore.
The discussion highlighted the importance of mental wellbeing, emotional resilience, and psychological support in seafaring.
8. Women in Maritime
On 20 March 2026, Session XLVIII addressed gender inclusion through “Breaking Barriers at Sea: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Maritime.”
The session featured C/E Sonali Banerjee, Founder of VesselFlix, and C/E Rupali Raj Joshi, Fellow at TERI, Delhi.
Their experiences highlighted the changing role of women in maritime and the importance of creating equal opportunities based on competence and capability.
9. Discipline, Purpose and Life at Sea
On 9 May 2026, Session 49 welcomed Shri Pralay Kumar Bhattacharya, Former President, AECDMET, at the IMU Kolkata Assembly Hall.
The session focused on discipline, professional conduct, purpose, and life at sea. It reinforced the idea that technical competence must be supported by character, responsibility, discipline, and professional ethics.
Session 50: Protecting Those Who Keep Global Trade Moving
The journey reached a major milestone with DMET Samvaad Session 50, conducted on 22 August 2026.
The landmark session was titled:
“Protecting Those Who Keep Global Trade Moving: Seafarer Safety in an Uncertain World”
The session featured:
Mr. Chirag Bahri, International Operations Manager, ISWAN
Mr. Kaushik Seal, President, IMEI
Cdr. Gaurav Agarwal (Retd.), Naval Veteran and Author
Mr. Maneesh Pradhan, Managing Director, Synergy Group
Mrs. Amri Saxena, Founder, Charismight Pvt. Ltd.
The session was conducted in loving memory of Late Engineering Officer Rohan Kumar (8199), with Jana Small Finance Bank as the Support Partner.
Session 50 represented an important milestone for DMET Samvaad and brought the 2025 to 2026 journey to a meaningful conclusion.
NIRMAAN: Promoting Practical Innovation
DMET Samvaad also extended its activities beyond webinars through NIRMAAN, a model exhibition conducted as part of the annual Tempest fest.
Cadets showcased working models that demonstrated engineering concepts, innovation, creativity, problem-solving, and practical application.
NIRMAAN encouraged students to move from theoretical knowledge to practical implementation and develop the confidence to build, test, explain, and improve their ideas.
DMET Samvaad MUN: Maritime Cadets and Global Affairs
On 25 April 2026, DMET Samvaad organised its first-ever Model United Nations, based on the theme:
“Crisis in the Strait of Hormuz: Securing the Global Energy Future”
The event brought together 16 nations and introduced cadets to moderated caucuses, crisis simulations, diplomatic negotiations, bloc building, and resolution drafting. The initiative demonstrated that maritime cadets can confidently engage with subjects such as geopolitics, international security, energy policy, diplomacy, and global trade.
DMET Samvaad Blog Writing Competition 2026
The DMET Samvaad Blog Writing Competition 2026, conducted in association with SeaStella Maritime Media, provided cadets with a platform to share their experiences, ideas, perspectives, and maritime stories. The initiative promoted communication, creativity, research, and maritime storytelling.
Kush Rana (Convenor) Honoured with the Gidwani Memorial Award
The journey of DMET Samvaad was also closely associated with the leadership and contribution of its Convenor, Kush Rana, DMET Class of 2026.
Kush Rana was honoured with the prestigious Gidwani Memorial Award for contributing the most to social and cultural activities during training.
The award recognised his sustained involvement in student-led initiatives, social and cultural activities, and his contribution towards strengthening engagement within the DMET-MERI community. His leadership as Convenor of DMET Samvaad, combined with his wider involvement in cadet initiatives, reflects a commitment to contributing beyond academics and technical maritime training.
The recognition represents leadership, initiative, community engagement, and a strong commitment to the student community.
I sincerely thank DMET Samvaad and the entire team for their constant support and trust throughout this journey. A special thanks to all my seniors, mentors, team members, and batchmates who guided me, supported every initiative, and stood by me throughout. This recognition may carry my name, but it truly belongs to everyone who was part of the journey. - Kush Rana (Roll Number 9671 | DMET Class of 2026)
Looking Ahead: Building the Next Generation of Maritime Professionals
The completion of 50 sessions is not the end of DMET Samvaad. It is the beginning of another chapter.
The maritime industry is evolving through alternative fuels, decarbonisation, digitalisation, automation, geopolitical developments, regulatory changes, and new approaches to seafarer wellbeing.
Future marine engineers must therefore become adaptable professionals who combine technical competence with leadership, communication, innovation, sustainability awareness, and global understanding.
DMET Samvaad seeks to contribute to this transformation by ensuring that every generation of cadets has access to the experience of those who came before them.
Conclusion
DMET Samvaad has demonstrated the power of connecting cadets, alumni, maritime professionals, mentors, and industry leaders.
From financial literacy and entrepreneurship to digitalisation, sustainability, mental wellbeing, women in maritime, diplomacy, writing, innovation, and seafarer safety, its initiatives have expanded the meaning of maritime education.
The journey from 2025 to 2026 has shown that when experience meets ambition and alumni knowledge reaches the next generation, an institution can create a lasting culture of learning.
The last session of this transformative journey was DMET Samvaad Session 50, conducted on 22 August 2026, on the theme “Protecting Those Who Keep Global Trade Moving: Seafarer Safety in an Uncertain World.”
Fifty sessions completed. Generations connected. Futures being built.
