Team Monash 2 crowned 2014 Best Malaysian Team Award

Shell Malaysia yesterday crowned Team Monash 2 from Monash University, Malaysia as the Best Malaysian Team for the 2014 Shell Eco-marathon Asia. The team brought home RM10,000 cash prize and a challenge trophy. Team Monash 2 was among the 16 teams that represented Malaysia at the 2014 Shell Eco-marathon Asia held for the first time in Manila, the Philippines earlier this year.

They received the award from Christine Liew, Head of Downstream Retail Marketing – Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Brunei for Shell.  Also in attendance were Professor Dr Mohd Nasir Taib, Dean of Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Fahrin Ahmad; Shell FuelSave Ambassador and Lisa Surihani; popular Malaysian actress and Shell FuelSave Celebrity Driving Challenge Ambassador. The event was held at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam.

The winning team was selected by an independent panel of judges based on the overall achievement in safety and technical performance, as well as the design and communication competence demonstrated during 2014 Shell Eco-marathon Asia.

Four teams were shortlisted as contenders for the award and they included Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Monash University Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

The Shell Eco-marathon competition invites students to design, build and test the most fuel-efficient and environmental-friendly vehicle. Open to colleges, universities and technical institutes, the programme challenges student teams to put their innovations to the test in two vehicle categories: “Prototype” and “UrbanConcept”.

At the same event, Liew, Professor Dr Mohd Nasir, Fahrin Ahmad and Lisa Surihani also symbolically sent off 16 student teams that will be representing the country at the upcoming 2015 Shell Eco-marathon Asia in Manila to be held from February 26th to March 1st.

In her speech Liew said, “Bright ideas that lead to new technologies innovation or products can transform the energy industry. Shell encourages and promotes the development of innovative ideas on energy efficiency and sustainable mobility.  Competitions like the Shell Eco-marathon are opportunities for students to be a part of the solution to the world’s energy challenges”

The Malaysian contingent is made up of teams from Selangor, Federal Territory, Penang, Pahang, Johor, Malacca and Sarawak.

They include University of Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Multimedia University Melaka Campus, Curtin University Sarawak, German-Malaysian Institute, Monash University Malaysia, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and Politeknik Seberang Perai.

Students have been rising to the challenge of designing and building cars that fit the concept of smarter mobility, or what Shell describes as “innovative ways to move more people and goods, safely, cost-effectively and with reduced impact on the environment.” The next generation technology cars designed and fabricated by student teams from participating Asian countries will be road-tested around Luneta Park, Manila and judged by a panel of technical experts. Some 1,700 students from 20 Asian countries are expected to participate in the 2015 event

“Today, we face challenges related to population growth and consequently a growing demand on energy in all its forms – we need to work together to improve more efficient use of energy.” Liew added.

By 2050, the number of cars on the road is expected to triple and a variety of fuels and technologies will be needed to meet the growing energy demand for mobility while limiting CO2 emissions.

Shell aims to be the most competitive and innovative energy company in the world. Shell continues to develop innovative technology solutions to deliver the energy our customers need, opening up new resources and producing more from existing fields.

Liew concluded, “By inspiring Malaysian youth today with the possibilities of an innovative energy future, Shell hopes to continue contributing to nation-building, especially as it moves toward its next hundred years in the country”.

This article was adapted from Shell Malaysia's website, www.shell.com.my