The American University in Dubai (AUD) recently signed an agreement with Shell, which will entitle the latter to support AUD engineering students to join other universities from the region in building ultra fuel-efficient vehicles.

Shell will also back the students in participating in the approaching global Shell Eco-marathon challenge.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr Alaa Ashmawy, dean of the School of Engineering at the AUD, and Richard Jory, general manager – Shell Markets Middle East.

The very first Shell Eco-marathon kicked off in 1939. In its incessant commitment to help meet the ever-growing energy needs of society in ways that are economically, environmentally and socially responsible, Shell recently launched the Shell Eco-marathon challenge in the Middle East and Africa as part of its global programs on Smart Mobility and Technology & Innovation.

This challenge is designed to encourage and foster innovative ideas about fuel-efficiency and the future of transport among high school and university students.

“The Shell Eco-marathon is a great opportunity for our students to apply what they have learned in university and gain hands-on engineering and project management experience,” said Dr Ashmawy.

Vehicles in the Shell Eco-marathon can use any conventionally available energy source including fuels such as diesel, gasoline and Gas-to-Liquids (GTL), as well as alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ethanol, solar and battery electric.

Teams can enter vehicles in two categories, the Prototypes group where the primary design consideration is reducing drag and maximizing efficiency and UrbanConcept which focuses on design that is contemporary, but still focusing on fuel efficiency.

“This is a very unique milestone for universities in UAE to develop the first ultra fuel-efficient vehicles ever built in the country and also represent the UAE for the first time in this high-profile global event,” Jory said.

“I look forward to the participation of the American University in Dubai and wish them the best of luck in this exiting journey.”

The American University in Dubai is now set to join other teams from the UAE and the region, such as Qatar and Lebanon, to compete in this global challenge.

“We would like to thank Shell for its efforts to bring this challenge to the region and we are looking forward for our participation,” concluded Dr Ashmawy. – TradeArabia News Service