STAFF REPORT KHI: Over 130 student teams from across Asia and Middle East have participated in the self-built fuel-efficient vehicles contest started in Manila, Philippines. As Shell Eco-marathon enters its 30th year globally, the sixth Asian edition of the student innovation competition also welcomed 7 student teams from Pakistan. Teams from Australia, Bangladesh, Oman and Saudi Arabia are taking part in this years competition.
Student teams are challenged to stretch the boundaries of fuel efficiency in a real world urban environment, and winners are determined by the mileage achieved on a litre of fuel, rather than speed.
The 7 Pakistani student teams, representing 5 universities – Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), PNEC-NUST Karachi, National Fertilizer Corporation University (NFC), Air University and GIKI, participated in the event. The flag-off ceremony for the student competition was held at Manilas historic Luneta Park, while the closing ceremony and awards presentation is scheduled for March 01 at Tent City, Manila Hotel.
In last years SEM Asia competition, Team PNEC-NUST from PNEC-NUST, Karachi won the off-track Communications Award for their innovative approach towards spreading awareness about the event and fuel efficiency through social media and on-ground activities to promote a sustainable environment.