Naval_Architecture_&_Marine_Engineering

I am a Mechanical Engineer by qualification, graduated in June 2008, with ‘First Class with Distinction’ working as a ‘Design Engineer (NA-ME)’ with ‘Cybermarine K. S. Pvt. Ltd.’ Being from a minority Konkani community - a native of mountainous regions on western coast of India, the lack of opportunities and resources limited my parents to mere high school education. But their unfulfilled passion for academic excellence has been a driving spirit in my life so far. In fact, I am the first Engineer from my family and also a first person to even consider post-graduation abroad. I have always aimed to rise up from that oblivion, and most importantly - be one of the foremost and prolific global citizens from my community, where higher education has taken a backseat in the quagmire of ignorance and agricultural dependence. The progress into Naval Architectural profession was not a fortuitous one, rather a well-planned move to channelize my fascination into a rewarding profession. Being a son of Marine Technician in Mumbai Port Trust, the access to ships and marine machinery workshops caught my interest and fired my imagination about those complex systems. It was around this time that I came across an history article about the defeat of gigantic Armadas in the naval war against the English. And as I explored deeper, I was astonished to find how merely the design of hull and propulsion systems became one of the significant cause of the haplessness of giant Armada warships against smaller English warships. Consequently, this fascination along with professional introspection, led me to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering as an alternative to Naval Architecture, due to personal constraints and non-availability of such course in Mumbai University. It has been an enriching experience learning diverse topics in 4 years of mechanical engineering, but the topics that caught my interest were that of Fluid Mechanics and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Learning the design of Hydraulic machinery and Finite Element Analysis, only managed to deepen my further interest in the subject. I did not let this interest die out and ventured further to find out the applications of CFD which brought forth subjects like solidification of molten metal, analysis of intake and exhaust manifolds; and design of marine propellers based on CFD. The paper I wrote on “Use of fins for underwater propulsion “also showed me how a very complex problem like that of the flow of fluid over the fins of a fish could be depicted and solved with the help of CFD .The paper illustrated how the efficiency of propellers can be maximized by analyzing their flow with the help of CFD. I supported this with a small experiment which showed the vortex formation in the fluid due to a flapping foil and subsequent generation of a fluid jet which helps the fish propel ahead with minimum work done. Further during the course of Finite Element Analysis (FEA), I realized the significance of this subject and how it could be used to obtain easy solutions to complex systems. Putting theory into practice, I performed FE analysis of an EOT crane girder in ANSYS which successfully simulated the loading conditions to obtain optimum design values and reduce material costs. Additional interests in Mechatronics (Robotics) led me to successfully finish a final year project wherein we developed an “electro-pneumatic gear-shifting system” which helped us grasp a cross-cutting knowledge and application of robotics in mechanical systems. The further exposure to allied subjects, backed by career interests, reinforced my aspirations to specialize in the field of naval architecture. Consequently I opted for a comparatively lesser remunerative position with ‘AB Marine Consultants Pvt. Ltd.’ while giving up lucrative job offers from two Indian engineering giants. Here, rather than limiting me to a particular phase of Ship / Rig design, my design skill sets are molded as a ‘multiple-capabilities design professional’. Apart from regular academics, I diversified my interests in designing and sketching. My aptitude for design combined with cross-cutting engineering acumen has served me well in winning inter-collegiate and national level competitions. Though involved in diverse activities, I have balanced my academic performance while maintaining position in top 2 ranks out of 69 in Class of 2008. Hence, I look forward to build upon these strengths and develop my abilities by pursuing a Masters Degree in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering (NAME). During the course, I envisage to develop advanced competencies in application of CFD and FEA in complex naval architectural design issues enabling me to pursue a career where I can be creatively involved in problem simulation & solution aimed at enhancing the design of structures and machinery which interact with fluids. Concurrently, I intend to focus on developing leadership skills required for integrated product or process development teams. In short I seek to fine-tune this ‘Design for Leadership’ approach. Post my MS in NAME, in the short term, I aspire to seek a career in the realm of Naval Architectural research and design with suitable organization. Special interest for me would be integrating my functional knowledge in core design with project management. However, over a longer term I do look forward to pursue a Doctorate degree in same field to enable myself to hone and contribute my competencies and credentials as a Graduate of University of Michigan on a global scale, by being part of a strategic team of a ‘super major’ in Indian subcontinent driving their energy exploration & transportation initiatives. Being a part of a strategic team could include collaborating with state run & private energy majors towards joint research and developmental activities to address specific design issues faced in challenging marine environments. Naval industry is set to see an exponential rise in Indian subcontinent as top companies are making forays into ship building and exploration activities. I harbor an ambition to champion this surge of shipbuilding & offshore exploration in the Indian subcontinent. This may sound interesting and farfetched and surely has its share of challenges. Achieving this would require one to pool in years of diligence and a strong mix of sound business fundamentals , strategic vision and frontline leadership, all of which, I look forward to garner being a ‘Michigan Engineering’ alumnus . A multi-cultural student body will further enhance the benefits gained at the learning process at Michigan Engineering. Students, who come from literally all corners of the world, bring with them all the advantages, disadvantages, fairness and prejudice of centuries of cultural heritage. These characteristics, sometimes, will manifest themselves in totally different approaches to solving intricate problems and help me shape myself as one of the leaders and ambassadors for brand ‘Michigan Engineering‘. Interacting with my peers & professors - it’s clear at this onset, that Michigan Engineering epitomizes a vibrant academic community, rich and diverse in its research interest and dynamic in its freedom for exploration. A distinguished faculty would ensure I realize my potential and consequently my career goals. Faculty like Prof. Dale Karr, Kevin Maki, Nickolas Vlahopoulos and their works appeal to me mostly because of their fields of research interests are what I would like to be a part of. This is why I look forward to turn my passion into concrete abilities, not just to acquire a foundation of knowledge but maybe to champion the creativity & bold imagination in modern engineering. This is Mr. XXXXX for you – diligent in approach, global in outlook & an eager U-MICH graduate.