At least 27 Pakistani student teams will participate in the Shell Eco-marathon friendly challenge, to top young engineers to push the limits of fuel efficiency, being organised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from July 8 to 10.
Started in 1939 as a wager to see who can travel furthest on a single litre of fuel, the Shell Eco-Marathon has grown into a global competition to develop solutions to society's most pressing dilemma, the energy challenge.
The competition is an educational platform that encourages students across Asia to design, build and test fuel-efficient vehicles. At last years event in Berlin a vehicle travelled 3836 km's on a single litre of fuel!
The year, for the first time in the history of the event, the Shell Eco-Marathon will hold an event in Asia in Malaysia. The event will be held at the Sepang International racetrack, a Formula One track in Kuala Lumpur. Of immense interest to every Pakistani is the fact that 27 student teams have registered for the event, the highest number in the competition. These teams come from top universities across Pakistan and will pit their eco-vehicles against 120 teams from Asia.
This is only the second time that Pakistan has taken part in the competition. Last year four teams of young engineers from the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Science and Technology (GIKI), and the Pakistan Navy University of Science and Technology (NUST) had participated.
In a send-off ceremony held in Islamabad on Wednesday, teams displayed their shining new vehicles in the presence of chief guest Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources. He lauded the team's efforts, stating, "Today we are extending the boundaries of our innovation and technology. The students who are taking part in this competition are amongst the best technical talent in our country and I congratulate them for their hard work and dedication to their projects and for presenting positive image of Pakistan in the world." He went on to say that this competition is an essential tool to develop better technologies and policy for energy conservation.
Zaiviji Smail, Country Chairman Shell Pakistan, in his address stated, "We are delighted to announce that 27 young Pakistani engineers are registered for this year's Shell Eco Marathon. There is tremendous capability and talent in our country and by facilitating the participation of these teams in 2010 we hope to enable innovative solutions to the world's energy challenge. This is the best form of education, helping students gain practical experience for the future."
The futuristic vehicles constructed by the student teams were displayed inside the event as a testimony to the hard work and immense potential of these young teams. Besides the prestige of winning the title of the most fuel-efficient vehicle in their respective categories and the chance to win attractive cash prizes for their schools, these teams have the unique opportunity of representing their country on a global forum, and to stand as the pioneers in fuel conservation from Pakistan.