Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) yesterday confirmed its participation at the upcoming Shell Eco-Marathon Asia-Pacific and the Middle East 2024 following the launch of their prototype battery electric vehicle, ‘Mekar’, in a ceremony at the Pro-Chancellor Arts Centre.
The Shell Eco-Marathon Asia-Pacific and the Middle East 2024 will take place at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit Lombok, Indonesia on July 2-6.
UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle officiated the launch of ‘Mekar’, meaning blossom in English.
Sponsors, UBD’s principal officers, academics and students witnessed the event.
UBD Shell Eco-Marathon team leader Hifdzur Azmin bin Haji Mohd Zain, in his welcoming remarks, said, “The Shell Eco-Marathon Asia-Pacific is an annual international competition that challenges students worldwide to design and build energy-efficient cars over a year.
Students gather after a year of hard work at an international location, and their vehicles are tested, competing against one another in urban circuits to determine which vehicle can travel the furthest distance with the least amount of energy.”
At UBD, he said, “This project is undertaken by students from multidisciplinary backgrounds, each bringing different skills and knowledge to the table.
“It fosters innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, and communication skills, aligned with the university’s aims to provide its students with experiential learning and entrepreneurial thinking”.
On the team’s name ‘Belia Tabah’, Hifdzur Azmin said, “It symbolises a team with determination and resiliency with the slogan ‘Bejarih dahulu, Bekarih sentiasa, Belurih kemudian’. Bekarih is having the will to do something; bejarih means to work hard for it; and belurih means reaping the rewards.”
He also shared that the team was able to decrease the total weight of the vehicle by 70 per cent, compared to its predecessor, with 90 per cent of the vehicle’s body made from carbon fibre reinforced polymer, alongside the integration of state-of-the-art components including an upgraded motor.
The UBD vice-chancellor also presented tokens of appreciation to sponsors as well as certificates to last year’s UBD Shell Eco-Marathon team member. – James Kon
Universiti Teknologi Brunei
Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) unveiled its latest achievement, ‘PAHLAWAN VIII’, during its official launch at the university’s main lobby yesterday.
The event marked a significant milestone in UTB’s journey towards the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia-Pacific and the Middle East 2024 competition.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat, followed by welcoming remarks by UTB Eco-Drive Team 2024 leader Afiq Saywan.
The event’s highlight was the official unveiling of the UTB Shell Eco-Marathon vehicle, by UTB Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Au Thein Wan, who was also the guest of honour.
It proceeded with a multimedia presentation, showcasing the journey of UTB’s Eco-Drive Team 2024 and the cutting-edge technological advancements incorporated into ‘PAHLAWAN VIII’.
The UTB Eco-Drive Team 2024 will compete in the Battery Electric category of the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia-Pacific and the Middle East 2024 competition on July 2-6 at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Lombok in Indonesia.
The Shell Eco-Marathon aims to empower the next generation of energy leaders, and this year’s competition offers students from the region an opportunity to test their design, technology and engineering skills with energy-efficient vehicles, both on and off the track.
UTB’s involvement in the event aligns with Brunei Vision 2035, focusing on education development to cultivate knowledgeable, skilled and successful youth that are prepared for global challenges.
