The Big Questions: Arun Dev

Why a career in naval architecture?

I was born in Bangladesh, a riverine country, and was fascinated by country boats, paddle steamers and the canals and rivers around my hometown. Naval architecture appealed to me because it combined mathematics, physics and creativity. After graduation, I joined the shipbuilding industry and the inland water transport sector in Bangladesh, where I worked on design, plan approvals, inspections and ship construction. Those early years gave me a strong foundation in real engineering despite the more limited resources available at the time.

Who has inspired you?

Teachers, industry professionals, colleagues and even students. My professors at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, and later at the University of Strathclyde and Delft University of Technology, taught me the value of rigorous engineering thinking and research. In many ways, engineering is a lifelong learning journey, and inspiration arises from constantly engaging with talented and committed people.

What happened next?

I moved to Jurong Shipyard in Singapore in 1981. The shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry was developing rapidly. Compared with Bangladesh, the scale, efficiency and project management systems were considerably more developed. My experiences in Bangladesh had prepared me well, teaching me