Shell Eco-Marathon (SEM) is one of the few events in the world where both technology and innovation are truly tested. In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, where efficiency and sustainability are of paramount importance, SEM provides a platform where students transform their ideas into real-world engineering solutions. Shell’s vision is clear – to trust youth and promote new-age engineering that can make an energy-efficient and low-emission future possible. This event also holds special significance for Pakistan, as our students annually showcase their technical creativity on the global stage.
This year, SEM Asia is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and this will be the second time that Manila, Philippines will host this event. The competition, which will run from February 26 to March 1, 2015, is focused on reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. The transport sector contributes up to 13% of global emissions, and SEM’s mission is to challenge young engineers to design fuel-efficient vehicles to reduce these numbers.
This event is a proud moment for Pakistani students, as we were the first country from South Asia to participate in the first Dafa Berlin edition in 2009. This year, 14 Pakistani university teams, out of 158 teams from Asia and the Middle East, will showcase their innovative vehicle designs at Manila’s Luneta Park. These universities include PNEC-NUST, COMSATS Institute of IT, NFC Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI), Wah Engineering College, PIEAS, Air University, and different campuses of NUST.
Particularly, two teams from PNEC-NUST Karachi are participating in the “Prototype” and “Urban Concept” categories. The “PNEC-NUST Prototype” team is led by Hassam Ahmed, while the “PNEC-NUST Urban Concept” is led by Muhammad Usman Mumtaz. Both teams have developed their self-built fuel-efficient gas-based vehicles, which use modified 70cc engines and carbon fiber chassis. Features include Safety Sensors, Proximity Sensors, and an Interactive Driver Interface—clearly showing that Pakistani students are now meeting global engineering standards.
The competition is going to be tough, as Manila’s circuit tracks require both precision and agility. Each team will be judged in multiple categories—including Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE), Reducing Ecological Footprint, Out-of-the-Box Design, Bringing Innovation to Life, and Future of Energy. These parameters ensure that students’ projects are not only functional, but also eco-friendly and innovative.
The awards structure is also very motivating. The event winner will receive a grand prize of $20,000, while runners-up will receive $10,000. In addition, six “Off-Track Awards” were presented, covering categories such as Communications, Vehicle Design, Technical Innovation, Safety, Perseverance & Spirit of the Event, and the Shell Helix Tribology Award.
Shell Pakistan is actively supporting these teams. The company organized a road show to assess the fuel efficiency and performance of the students’ vehicles, providing technical feedback and improvement suggestions. The aim of this initiative was to enable students to test their designs and make necessary improvements to deliver optimal performance on the international stage.
With all these efforts, Pakistan’s young engineers are once again proving that our talent is not limited to the local level. Events like SEM make them part of a global innovation ecosystem – where technology extends not just to machines but to the promise of a sustainable and responsible future.
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