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Voyage of Naval Architects

Long long ago the Almighty architect bestowed the earth for the mankind. Continents drifted across the ocean in that paradise. But man with his skill crossed the seas and conquered it. He could float the steel in all forms.  Art became architecture… Techniques evolved into technology. Eventually Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding technology developed as an engineering science.

Masters of that field came to be known as Naval Architects. They designed and constructed floats structured to move cargo and passengers across the sea. Those designs could explore the offshore potential, give pace to the fight against the enemies, search the underwater mysteries, support the fishing industry, and even break the polar ice. Second World War spurred a technological revolution in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding. The world started realizing its importance. Various universities started to form exclusive departments to mould Naval Architects. 500 year old Rostock University was one of the pioneers in that drive. Many world famous scientists including Albert Einstein chose this university for their research work. A highly talented team of professors from its Naval Architecture department was deployed to share their technological skill to the rest of the world.

India became the destination for them to spread the technology. Their voyage reached Cochin University in the 1970's to reorient the department of Ship technology. Dr. Erno Wiebeck, the father of the ship technology department laid the foundation for the 5 year B.Tech course in Naval Architecture & Shipbuilding Technology with a well advanced curriculum, proper teaching staff, modern library, well equipped workshop facilities, fluid mechanics lab, model making facilities and well facilitated hostel. More and more professors like Dr. Stoevhase, Dr. Hammer, Dr. Gatzer, Dr. Leske and Dr. Reissman joined the department to mould the next generation Naval Architects. A National Entrance Examination was conducted in the country of one billion people to get the best 15, out of them. As the facilities improved the number of seats went up, to meet the industrial requirement. In 1982 itself the department got computerized and the university became Cochin University of Science and Technology by 1984. Students were sent to Rostock for higher studies and research works. By 1997 Post Graduation and Research facilities commenced in the department itself. SNAS, the Society of Naval Architecture Students became very active to explore the hidden talents of students through various extra curricular activities with the support of the Industry and Alumni. “Ship Technique”, their unique technical journal became a trendsetter through the last 24 volumes.

Over the last 29 years, 705 Naval Architects passed out from this department to serve the international ship building arena. They spread across the world but surprisingly enough, more than 150 of them chose UAE as their professional destination. 25 years back the first among them landed in UAE. The professional quality of the pioneer brought more and more Naval Architects to UAE maritime industry. They all lived like family members in a Closed Network with the culture and bonding developed during their campus life.

In 1996, Middle East Alumni of Ship Technology was formally established. Various technical and non technical events were organized by MAST. Funds were raised for charity and scholarship; children got opportunity to perform their talents in various cultural shows with the support of the active women's wing. Sports and games set venue for social gathering. Regular picnic and group movie watch became a part of life. Workshops on various subjects were conducted. Quiz competitions refreshed the technical knowledge. In 2008, MAST received the prestigious IMC award for the most active maritime organization. Creative designs of its members got the international awards including the entry in to the Guinness Book of World Records. Their dream project, MASTECH 2008 was announced. The concept of Digi Booth got introduced along with techno maritime awards. MAST is no more an organization with its responsibilities limited to members only.  It has become the 'MAST' of the entire Middle East Maritime fraternity.