Four Egyptian student teams are participating at the sixth round of the annual Shell Eco-Marathon (SEM) Asia 2015, taking place on 26 February – 1 March in the heart of Manila, the Philippines.  The Shell Eco-Marathon challenges students to design and build energy-efficient vehicles and drive the farthest possible distance using one litre/unit of fuel.

The SEM Asia 2015 brings together over 120 student teams, representing 17 countries from across Asia and the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region, whom will be driving their energy-efficient vehicles on the streets in Manila. 

In addition to Egypt, there are four other participating countries from the MENA region: Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, making the number of teams representing the MENA region 15 in total.

Teams of students can build one of two types of vehicles: Prototype – futuristic and highly aerodynamic vehicles - or Urban Concept: highly economical and innovative vehicles that resemble today’s cars. They must pass a set of technical and safety tests and are then allowed onto the track to see how far they can get on the least amount of fuel. Out of the four Egyptian teams, one team – Cairo University’s Team – is participating with an Urban Concept vehicle for the first time. 

“The purpose of challenges such as the Shell Eco-Marathon is to provide future engineers with first-hand experience on how ‘things work’ in real life. Not only do students gain the practical understanding and knowledge in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but they also build their leadership and teamwork skills”, says Nerine Elwy, Communications Manager, Shell Egypt N.V. 

“In line with our focus on developing Egyptian youth, we are proud to have supported – last year – two teams from two prestigious Egyptian educational institutions; Cairo and Ain Shams universities. I am pleased to announce that we have Ain Shams and Cairo Universities returning this year, with Cairo University represented by two teams, in addition to Alexandria University which is participating for the first time. Best of luck to all four teams!” added Nerine.    

“Participating in the SEM is a life-changing experience! The management, leadership, and design skills that I learned – thanks to Shell Eco-Marathon – cannot be taught in the classroom, and has influenced the way I think in my everyday life. I gained an invaluable experience, competing against the top engineering talents in Asia”, says Ahmed Karam, Cairo University’s team leader. “Last year, my university team, CUT 2014, ranked the 8th place out of 44 teams, managing to travel 122 Km with one litre of gasoline.  We look forward to beating that record, and bring a leading rank back home!”

Notes to Editor:

Egyptian Teams at a Glance

Ain Shams University

-Team Name: ASU Racing Team

-Team Average Age: 20

-Team Size: 11 students, 3 supervisors

-Car Name: Siraj         

-Class: Prototype

-Energy Type : Gasoline

-Duration of designing/building car: 3 months

-Record to beat: 700 km/litre

-Unique feature about the car: ‘tear-drop’ body shape with a coefficient of drag of 0.015 

 

Alexandria University 

-Team Name: Alexandria University SEM Team 

-Team Average Age: 22

-Team Size: 17 students, 1 Supervisor

-Car Name: Cleopatra

-Class: Prototype

-Energy Type: Battery

-Duration of designing/building car: approximately one year 

-Record to beat: none 

-Unique feature about the car: body made of carbon fiber, using one of the best electric motors.  

 

Cairo University  

-Team Name: CUT Eco-racing UC Team 

-Team Average Age: 21 

-Team Size: 8 students, 1 Supervisor 

-Car Name: Anubis

-Class: Urban Concept

-Energy Type:  Gasoline

-Duration of designing/building car: approximately one year 

-Record to beat: 320 km/litre  

-Unique feature about the car:  very advanced engine and drive cycle control system

 

-Team Name: CUT Eco-racing Team 

-Team Average Age: 21 

-Team Size: 8 students, 1 Supervisor 

-Car Name: Horus

-Class: Prototype

-Energy Type:  Gasoline

-Duration of designing/building car: approximately one year 

-Record to beat: 1,800 km/litre  

-Unique feature about the car:  very light weight, yet tough. Able to handle different dynamic forces

About Shell Eco-marathon

Shell Eco-Marathon began in 1939 at a Shell research laboratory in the United States as a friendly wager between scientists to see who could get the most miles per gallon from their vehicle. The winner of that contest barely achieved 50 mpg (21 Km/Litres), and from these humble origins, a more organized competition evolved. In 1985 in France, Shell Eco-Marathon as we know it today was born. In April 2007, the Shell Eco-Marathon Americas event was launched in the United States. In 2010, the inaugural Shell Eco-Marathon Asia was held in Malaysia. Malaysia hosted Shell Eco-Marathon Asia until 2013. In 2014, the event was held in Manila, Philippines, which will continue to host the event until 2016.  The highest record achieved to date was in 2010 by a French team in SEM Europe who were able to drive 4,896.1 kilometres on a single litre of fuel – the approximate equivalent of driving from Egypt to the UK.

For more information about the Shell Eco-Marathon, please visit:http://www.shell.com/global/environment-society/ecomarathon.html

 

For media enquiries, please contact: 

Ms. Nerine Elwy

Communications Manager

nerine.elwy@shell.com

 

Ms. Sherine Nehad 

Media Relations Manager

sherine.nehad@shell.com

Cell: +201271110420

 

Mr. Nureddin Wefati

Head of Media Relations for Middle East & North Africa

Shell EP International

Tel: +971 4 705 5347

Cell: +971 56 216 2409

Nureddin.Wefati@Shell.com

 

Mr. Ali Khan

Spokesperson Middle East & North Africa

Shell EP International Ltd

Tel:   +971 4 405 4563

Cell: +971 50 189 7480

Ali-Nasir.Khan@Shell.com

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