PHOTO: Serge Bernal, Shell Pilipinas Vice President of Corporate Relations, led the send-off luncheon for the seven Filipino student teams preparing to compete in the Shell Eco-marathon 2024 Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) competition in Lombok, Indonesia. The Shell Eco-marathon is a global academic program that challenges student teams to design and build energy-efficient vehicles capable of covering long distances.
As Shell Pilipinas celebrates its 110th Anniversary, seven teams from various universities in the Philippines are set to showcase their creativity, engineering skills, and teamwork in Lombok, Indonesia for the Shell Eco-marathon 2024 Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) competition.
As a global academic program, the Shell Eco-marathon challenges student teams to design and build energy-efficient vehicles capable of covering long distances. It aims to push the boundaries of what is technically possible and inspire young people to become leading scientists and engineers of future energy solutions.
Since 1985, the Shell Eco-marathon has provided a unique platform for students from all over the world to demonstrate their capabilities on an international stage, emphasizing the importance of sustainable innovation and excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The competition pushes technical boundaries and inspires students to become scientists and engineers, embodying Shell’s mission of Powering Progress by providing more and cleaner energy solutions.
Serge Bernal, Shell Pilipinas Vice President of Corporate Relations, said, “The Shell Eco-marathon is a platform to promote STEM. It also offers a unique opportunity to connect with individuals from various countries around the world.”
Representing the Philippines are teams from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, Mapua University, Adamson University, University of Mindanao, Jose Rizal University, and De La Salle University Manila. These institutions showcase the best of Filipino engineering talent, with each team striving to create the most energy-efficient and sustainable vehicles.
Miguel Licuanan, Hygears Team Manager from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, said, “When we encounter challenges along the way, people become the most powerful tool. We solve problems and can find solutions in various ways, allowing us to see the potential in each situation.”
The Shell Eco-marathon is dedicated to promoting the values of perseverance, collaboration, and innovation, which are essential for the success of participating teams as they strive to achieve breakthroughs in energy efficiency and sustainable technology.
Karise Evangeline Carlos, Cardinal One Team Manager from Mapúa University, said, “As engineers, we are problem-solvers. Sometimes we fail, sometimes we succeed. Here at Shell Eco-marathon, we developed soft skills and hard skills that we can apply in our engineering fields and future careers.”
Aligned with the Philippine government’s science and technology advancement roadmap, the Shell Eco-marathon plays a crucial role in nurturing young competitive talents in the STEM field. By participating in this competition, students gain invaluable experience and contribute to the country’s goal of producing highly competent professionals ready to lead in STEM fields worldwide. Bernal said, “By providing a platform for these bright minds to shine, Shell is paving the way for a future where technology and sustainability go hand in hand.”
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