Monash student takes the global stage as World Finals judge at STEM Racing 2026
Tharuma (second from left) providing constructive feedback and advice on improvement to competitors.
Tharuma Nathan, a PhD student in the School of Engineering at Monash University Malaysia, recently served as a judge at the Aramco STEM Racing World Finals 2026, held in Singapore and supported by Formula 1. Held at Resorts World Sentosa, the event is a premier global, multidisciplinary STEM competition for youth that tests the brightest young minds on an international stage.
The international panel of 100 judges at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore.
Bringing together 91 teams from over 35 countries, the largest World Finals field in the competition’s history, the event challenged students to design, manufacture, and race 1:25 scale Formula 1 cars. Evaluated by a panel of 100 international judges, teams were tested not only on track speed, but on their engineering portfolios, enterprise strategies, and project management.
For Tharuma, the 2026 World Finals marked the continuation of a remarkable decade-long journey, having transitioned from a former competitor into a judge. Having first joined the competition as a participant in 2014 and served as a World Finals judge since 2018, he has had a front-row seat to the rapid evolution of youth STEM initiatives.
“Every year, the standard gets higher, and the engineering becomes more sophisticated,” Tharuma observed. “The teams continue to push boundaries with fresh ideas, innovative approaches, and creative solutions. What makes this journey so rewarding is seeing the next generation of engineers combine aerodynamics, manufacturing, enterprise, and teamwork to bring their ideas to life.”
The meticulous technical evaluation required on the international judging panel mirrors the academic rigour and innovation championed at Monash University Malaysia. Whether assessing complex aerodynamic properties or evaluating a team's collaborative enterprise strategy, the role demands a sharp analytical eye and an objective understanding of advanced engineering principles.
For Tharuma, standing on the other side of the competition provides a unique and fulfilling perspective. Having personally experienced the intense pressure of the race as a student, he now carries the responsibility of evaluating the creativity, dedication, and technical excellence of today’s emerging talents.
1:25-scale Formula 1 racing cars being launched on the track at the Aramco STEM Racing World Finals 2026.
The STEM Racing World Finals went beyond finding the fastest car; it was a global celebration of innovation that brought together diverse cultures and brilliant minds. Beyond his role on the international stage, Tharuma is dedicated to shaping future engineering leaders back in Malaysia. He bridges the gap between competitive youth STEM programs and high-level academic research by organising STEM Racing workshops on aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for high school students at Monash University Malaysia, with support from the School of Engineering, the Mechanical Engineering Department, and MUMEC.
“It’s truly inspiring,” he noted. “Having once stood in their shoes, being able to recognise and reward their technical excellence is an incredible privilege.”