The students of Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy (AEMA) did their faculty proud by winning a record four prizes in the Indian Maritime University’s (IMU) third IMO mock session competition on November 9th, including two winners of the rolling shield and a runner-up award.
The annual competition, now in its third year, is an initiative run by the IMU in association with India’s Institute of Marine Engineers and DMET-MERI Alumni, and is aimed at developing the cognitive and communication skills of students enrolled in IMU and its affiliated colleges. Eligible students across all of India took part in the prestigious team-based event, which was divided into four divisions: Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, Marine Management, and Naval Architecture.
With the guidance of an appointed subject matter expert, each student team had to work within the parameters of an assigned nation profile (e.g., a developed nation with large spending capacity on infrastructure, limited interest in shipbuilding, and a huge fossil fuel reserve). The nomination process started in June, with teams required to submit their final papers in September.
After a month-long review process, the industry-drawn judging panel announced the shortlisted semi-finalists. Of the 67 team submissions, seven were by AEMA teams, and six of the seven progressed to the semi-finals! Moreover, AEMA was the only institute to have more than one team shortlisted under any division.
The two-day semi-finals were conducted virtually, with each team giving an eight-minute slide presentation of their proposal to a mock IMO sub-committee comprising three judges. Non-presenting teams were invited to cross-question and comment on the presenting team as part of the process, which saw four of AEMA’s six teams progress to the finals – a very impressive effort!
The final round of the competition was also held virtually on November 9th. The team finalists were invited to highlight their proposals in 2-3 minute pitches, without the benefit of any support tools, and to answer questions asked of them by the three subject matter expert panellists. All AEMA team finalists did a stellar job, fielding the questions with confidence.
The competition results speak for themselves. Of the four AEMA team finalists and prize recipients, two won in their respective divisions and one placed second for a grand total of three award wins. Finishing with four finalists and three award wins in the same competition is the most any one institute has ever achieved since the launch of the IMO mock sessions.
Big congratulations to the four AEMA team finalists, as well as to all other participating AEMA students and faculty team leads Capt. Sundeep Shivanagi (DNS) and C/E Anil Sharma (GME). What AEMA achieved in the competition is outstanding and we could not be more proud. A truly tremendous effort across the board, with a special shout-out to GME 39. Well done!
AWARDS AND PRIZES
Nautical Science – Winner
Topic: Develop a goal-based instrument for maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS)
Team: DNS 27 – Anup Singh, Atul Tiwari, Avi Narula, Kashish Sharma
Naval Architecture – Winner
Topic: Reduce fuel consumption and emissions by streamlining cargo ship superstructure and adopting an inverted bow design
Team: GME 39 – Maaz Baig, Rohit Singh, Saurabh Sharma, Shyam Dalai
Marine Engineering – Second
Topic: Reduce fuel emissions by utilising waste heat energy from auxiliary engines and incinerators
Team: GME 39 – Bhavani Sutar, Srinivas Thirupathi, Vishnunath Viswanathan, Ubin Udayakumar
Marine Engineering – Finalist
Topic: Use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel in shipping
Team: GME 39 – Ashutosh Kubal, Azain Sayekar, Leroy Pereira, Nehil Veshi