Shell Eco-marathon is a
vast-scale event, hosted by Shell, which takes place thrice annually in
different parts of the world including the Americas, Europe and Asia. It brings
a great number of young intelligentsia on a common platform where they compete
against each other with their cars. Students, across the globe design, build and
run their fuel-efficient cars on the reserved tracks of Shell and the car which
covers the greatest distance in the least amount of fuel wins. This marathon is
a unique one in its own way.
If the entire world is participating in such a huge event, we, Pakistanis,
cannot miss the wonderful opportunity of showing the world that we are not less
in any way. Engineers from PNEC-NUST, by participating in 2009, declared
themselves as pioneers of Shell Eco-marathon. From 2010 onwards, a plenty of
teams, from several Pakistani institutions, started participating in this
competition and Pakistani cars were also seen on the abroad roads. The team of
2009 did not just get a media coverage, but also was a part of the official
picture of Shell Eco-marathon 2009. The fame was immense. The picture on the
left shows the happy pioneers from PNEC-NUST.
PNEC-NUST, this year again, is all-ready to leave a landmark in the history of
Shell Eco-marathon Asia. The venue of the event is Sepang International Circuit,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The competition comprises of two categories; urban-concept and prototype.
Students, according to their interests, select categories and prepare themselves
in the best way possible. We, students of PNEC-NUST, are participating in the
both the categories and will be running two cars on the Malaysian tracks. Both
the teams currently have quite a many tasks at their hands. From deciding the
equipment of the cars till working with the mechanics, from university work till
arranging the sponsors, all are to be managed well. The proud teams, with one of
the cars, urban-concept vehicle, can be seen on the left.
The teams comprises of students from various semesters of Mechanical and
Industrial and Manufacturing departments of PNEC-NUST. The idea behind having
people from different departments is merely to use the knowledge of as many
minds as possible. Our faculty is extremely supportive and encouraging. They are
always there to guide the teams so that we do not leave any loopholes.
This year, we aim to bring laurels to our prestigious institution and beloved
country by beating all the previous records and making a new one on our name. We
have to go through a long way and we hope to pass by all the hurdles
successfully without falling. Our journey has just started. It will make us
learn, practice and implement and will help us in becoming better engineers.