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Samvaad Session Recap: Session #36 with Dmetian Vinay Gupta, UMMS

Writer's picture: DMET-संवाद TeamDMET-संवाद Team

Updated: Jul 31, 2024

The session, led by Mr. Vinay Gupta, Managing Director of Union Marine Management Services, focused on the importance of balancing technical expertise with soft skills in the maritime industry.


The session began with Mr. Gupta emphasising the need for cadets to be inquisitive and question the status quo, quoting Gautama Buddha to underline the importance of critical thinking and personal conviction.


Mr. Gupta shared his own experiences, highlighting the necessity of understanding not only technical knowledge but also the skill sets and soft skills required to excel in maritime professions.


Session Recording


He stressed the significance of perseverance, adaptability, and the ability to learn continuously. Mr. Gupta also discussed the challenges of leadership, especially when managing a team of strong individuals, and the importance of building a cohesive team.


He encouraged cadets to not merely replicate others' success but to find their own solutions and adapt to the unique circumstances they face. Mr. Gupta underscored that success in the maritime industry requires not just technical knowledge but also strong interpersonal skills, patience, and the ability to work well with diverse teams.


Following Mr. Gupta's talk, Rear Admiral Dr. Rangachari, the campus director, provided further insights. He emphasised the importance of being a good human being, having strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage both juniors and seniors effectively. He encouraged cadets to develop a range of skills and maintain a willingness to learn throughout their careers.

The session concluded with Mr. Gupta inviting cadets to visit the Union Marine Management Services office in Gurgaon, encouraging them to learn from the industry's practical aspects. The session provided valuable lessons on the critical interplay between technical skills and personal attributes in achieving success in the maritime sector.



 

Session Summary by Cadets


About the keynote speaker

Mr. Vinay Gupta  (Roll number - 3972  DMET Class of 1989-1993) is currently serving as Managing Director at Union Marine Management Services. Mr. Vinay Gupta  has extensive experience as an engineering officer, Superintendent Engineer, Technical Manager and managing director. Over the years, he advanced through various companies comprising Wallem, Maersk Line, Radiant shipping, Fleet management etc. demonstrating his expertise as a skilled seafarer and a devout marine engineer. 


His exceptional performance onboard led to his transition to shore-based roles, where he again demonstrated his expertise and in 2012, Mr. Gupta founded his own ship management company, Union Marine Management Services, in Singapore. Over the span of 12 years, the company has successfully managed numerous vessels and has garnered a diverse clientele from around the globe. Mr. Gupta stands as a prominent industry leader from DMET, serving as a source of inspiration for all current cadets at the institution


Welcome Address

The session started with a welcome from the host Cadet Deepanjan Chatterjee (Roll number 9629)  and co-host Cadet Aryaan Patra  (Roll number 9611), DMET class of 2026 who welcomed our esteemed guest.


The session continued with an enlightening introductory speech by Associate Professor Shri Eswara Arun Kishore who extended his warm welcome towards everyone, including Mr. Vinay Gupta and also shared his notions on how Mr. Vinay Gupta has contributed to the institute’s ongoing success.

Shri Eswara Arun Kishore emphasized the significance of DMET Samvaad in fostering connections between alumni and current cadets. Sir also expressed his acknowledgement to the DMET Club for their collaboration for the session, strengthening the bonds and ensuring new heights are achieved. He also extended a heartfelt note of gratitude to our esteemed guest for honoring us with his presence.


Brief description of the Event

Mr. Vinay Gupta commence his speech with Gautham Buddha’s quote that promotes the message that one should not believe in anything just because they have heard it written in their books, rumored by many or if they are convinced by their teachers and elders. But only believe when one truly understands it themselves through proper reason and conduces it to the good for one all thus initiating the need for inquisitivity in minds and strong problem-solving skills. 


He initiated his address by introducing the cadets to what is needed to furnish themselves as an asset to the institute and themselves which consisted of technical knowledge, the skillsets and the soft skills. Where the importance of each of these areas were thoroughly covered.


Also emphasizing the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and continuous learning. Mr. Gupta also talked about the difficulties of leadership, particularly in handling a team of strong individuals, and the value of creating a united team.


Perseverance is the key to success in life and business


Mr. Gupta suggested that success involves self-belief, hard work, and patience. Soft skills, crucial in business, are especially important for interpersonal interactions. He stressed the significance of investing in people and forming a strong team, as it is our duty to nurture a committed and enthusiastic team rather than expecting a ready-made one. Dealing with strong individuals requires skill and leadership, with an emphasis on collaboration rather than control over them. Speaking about competitions and rivalry in business he mentioned that healthy competition and challenges in business can drive personal growth, motivating us to strive for improvement and excellence in all areas.


He stressed on the need to be perseverant because until and unless someone is not having enough patience they will leave their ambitions and visions in the middle of the course. And that the new age media has made us be very less perseverant, that we have lost the ability to concentrate and do work. Hence, it is necessary that each of us understand the idea of being perseverant and believe in oneself about their efforts. 


Start questioning everything and go back to basics


Mr. Gupta prompted the cadets to inquire about their learning and experiences, emphasizing that mere observation does not necessarily imply understanding. He advised against blind acceptance of information solely based on the speaker's authority, urging instead a critical evaluation of correctness. So one should  use their Consciousness, mind and thoughts and see if it balances, see if it comes if it is in line with whatever you think is “Satyam Shivam and sundaram”. Mr. Gupta stressed the importance of returning to fundamental principles and fostering a culture of inquiry.


He recommended seeking clarification from experienced colleagues while on ships to facilitate personal growth and prevent stagnation of knowledge. He shared the piece of information through one among his experiences onboard where he inhibited himself from asking questions and how he overcame that.


One’s Ambition should not outdo their optimism


Mr. Vinay Gupta put forth that what one needs in their life is to live in the moment and find our own solution. Further, he commented that there is nothing wrong with one being ambitious or trying to outperform others but it is wrong when a person’s ambition outdo their optimism. It is essential that ambitious people wait patiently for their opportunity and understand what entails to their success and work accordingly.


 Looking at a success story or hearing the success story of another person will not give you the caliber to attain that success.. He gave the example of Mount Everest and explains how we often look up to the success of people but not the effort that it takes to reach their pinnacle. Mr. Gupta motivated the cadets about being prepared from within through this. He made them understand that we all have a tomorrow waiting for us but something has to be done to keep ourselves prepared mentally and emotionally for the tomorrow, so it is essential for all the cadets that they start themselves to prepare for their future professional life and construct the soft skills from their days in the institute itself. He ceased this particular section quoting that “Plan is not important, but planning is.


Following  Mr. Gupta’s speech, Rear Admiral Dr. P J Rangachari, the campus director, thanked Mr. Vinay Gupta for guiding the cadets to be the trailblazers of tomorrow and shared additional perspectives. He stressed the significance of embodying positive human qualities, possessing robust interpersonal abilities, and effectively overseeing both junior and senior personnel. He motivated cadets to cultivate a diverse skill set and uphold a continuous eagerness for learning across their professional journeys. 

Mr. Gupta also invited the cadets to visit the Union Marine Management Services office in Gurgaon and urged them to gain insights from the practical side of the industry. 


For the next part of the session, the cadets got the chance to ask their queries and interact with our honorable guest where they asked questions about adapting to the work culture in maritime industry, developing personality of oneself to meet the company standards and many more.


DMET has been one of the finest Maritime Training Institutes in the country. Since the expectations are high, what according to you would set a benchmark for a cadet of DMET that he/she would stand out and you would look for while assessing a cadet when recruiting from the college?

To put it in a simple way it would be ‘Discipline’. Because, the credit that comes with a cadet from DMET that makes them different from other colleges is the factor of discipline. Technical knowledge is something that anyone can have and provide but soft skills like discipline is one such set of skills that DMET provides. So, overall that is what is expected when it is a cadet from DMET, to be hardworking and disciplined.


As you said an inquisitive mind is what a cadet has to develop themselves, what are some of your suggestions to inculcate inquisitive mindset among the cadets and how to imply it on a daily basis.

Yes, it is not easy to develop an inquisitive mindset but try doing it and you will develop it one day. Next time you are up against something that is very crucial to you and not some simplistic things, ask different people, it can be your roommate or anybody but try it, if you get into that game zone you would find it very difficult. Just keep practicing and an inquisitive mind as i said earlier do not accept things blindly, but to question things and find the logic is what that it takes.  


How can a cadet who became a trainee marine engineer gain the trust of his seniors onboard

Hardwork and knowledge is what that is basically needed for that and keep owning skills that's it. If you have in you what that it takes for it you will be recognized and people will look for you. If you make yourself useful to the team people will look out for you and start considering you. Do not wait for someone to tell what is to be done, rather you go yourself, fetch the job and take the risk. People have died because of wrong attitude but not because they were hardworking. 


Further, after the QnA session, Associate Professor Shri Eswara Arun Kishore delivered the concluding note thanking the esteemed guest and expressed his sincere gratitude to the alma mater including the DMET Singapore Alumni Association. He also highlighted the importance of DMET Samvaad in building bridges between former students and current cadets. Also conveying his gratitude to the DMET Club for their partnership in the event, reinforcing relationships and paving the way for greater accomplishments.


Vote of Thanks

The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Mr. Kumar Sambhav, roll number 8647, DMET class of 2018-2022. He expressed his  heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed guest, Mr. Vinay Gupta and also to Associate Professor Shri Eshwara Arun Kishore, for his unwavering support and guidance to DMET SAMVAAD. The Founders, Shri Harsh Sinha and Shri Sachin Kumar Mahto, were also celebrated for their Initiative.  Core Committees across the years were also acknowledged for their efforts and zeal. The participants were applauded for their patience and curiosity that made the session successful. 


Conclusion

The 36th session of DMET Samvaad concluded successfully, underscoring the importance for cadets and seafarers to cultivate soft skills along with technical skills.

Mr. Vinay Gupta provided profound insights, complemented by perspectives from distinguished alumni and enthusiastic participation from cadets, enriching their understanding of the evolving maritime landscape.

The session concluded with a memorable photograph in the breakout room.




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