Celebrating Maritime Excellence and Inclusion: Reflections from the DMET MERI Singapore Alumni Meet 2025
On March 9, 2025, the elegant halls of Shangri-La Singapore played host to a vibrant and meaningful gathering—the DMET MERI Singapore Alumni Annual Meet. This prestigious event brought together some of the finest maritime engineers and leaders from around the world, creating a space for reconnection, reflection, and recognition.
Representing Strive-High Pte. Ltd., our CEO, Ms. Preeti Dubey, was delighted to attend the celebration, meet valued clients from the maritime industry, and engage in insightful conversations with seasoned professionals and emerging leaders alike.
An Evening of Recognition and Purpose
The evening unfolded under the esteemed presence of His Excellency Dr. Shilpak Ambule, Chief Guest and Ambassador of India to Singapore, and Mr. B. S. Tekka, Founder & CEO of Executive Ship Management (ESM), as the Guest of Honour. Their words set a powerful tone—one that emphasized not only the technical accomplishments of the maritime community but also its growing commitment to equity and inclusion.
This year’s theme, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), with a special focus on “Women in Maritime,” resonated deeply with many in the room. The event paid tribute to Ms. Sonali Banerjee for her outstanding contributions to the industry—a poignant moment that captured the spirit of progress and possibility for women navigating roles at sea and beyond.
Bridging Tradition and Transformation
The alumni meet served as more than just a reunion; it was a reflection of how the maritime industry is evolving—embracing change, celebrating diversity, and honouring those who have paved the way. With captivating performances, lively contests, and enthusiastic participation, the event captured the richness of the DMET MERI legacy while looking boldly to the future.
As the evening progressed, familiar faces and new connections added to the spirit of camaraderie. It was a joy for Preeti Dubey to reconnect with key maritime stakeholders and friends of Strive-High, all of whom are driving meaningful transformation within their spheres of influence.
Gratitude for a Remarkable Evening
Heartfelt appreciation goes out to the DMET MERI Singapore Association Committee Members—Sanjiv Mishra, Kapil Berry, Sanjay Verma, Upendra D., Vinay Gupta, and the entire organizing team—for their impeccable coordination and their ongoing commitment to fostering community and inclusivity.
It was equally enriching to meet esteemed professionals such as Larry Gwee Guo Duan, S. Devendran, JP, Erhan Ünlü, Nadine Letzner, B.N. Prasad, Stijn Van Doninck, Sudhakar Tripathi, Prem Allencherry, Anubhav Garg, Rajesh Singh, Capt. Harminder Singh, Akanksha Batura Pai, Sharad Gupta, and many others, each contributing in unique ways to the vibrancy of the maritime sector.
Looking Ahead with Pride
The 2025 edition of the DMET MERI Singapore Alumni Meet was not just a celebration of achievements; it was a reaffirmation of the maritime industry’s resilience, evolution, and its growing emphasis on human-centric leadership. It reminded everyone in the room that “engineering ships is just one part of the journey” the greater task lies in navigating people, values, and purpose through dynamic waters.
Kudos to the entire DMET MERI community for creating an unforgettable evening that truly embodied excellence, unity, and the promise of inclusive progress.
Curated By: Strive-High Team