UMPSA Tech Team achieves 13th Best Position in Asia Shell Eco Marathon 2024

INDONESIA, 7 July 2024 - The UMPSA Tech team brought recognition to Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) on the international stage by securing the 13th best position in Asia and being crowned the second-best Malaysian team in the prototype battery category at the Shell Eco Marathon 2024. 

The tournament took place at Pertamina Mandalika Circuit, Lombok, Indonesia.

Despite facing tough conditions with extreme weather on the racetrack, which saw some machines unable to complete the tests, the UMPSA Tech team remained enthusiastic and successfully completed six tests. 

They recorded an energy efficiency rate of 196 km/kWh, surpassing their previous record from the 2023 edition.

The seven-day tournament, held from July 1 to 7, featured 78 student teams from 12 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Qatar, and India. The competition included three categories: internal combustion engine (ICE), electric battery (BE), and hydrogen (H2).

According to Dr. Abdul Nasir Abd Ghaffar, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (FTKEE) and the advisor of the UMPSA Tech team, eight students from FTKEE, the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology (FTKMA), and the Faculty of Manufacturing and Mechatronics Engineering Technology (FTKPM) participated in the team.

"This tournament features a competition format based on energy efficiency rates, where teams aim to achieve the best energy efficiency record over a 25-kilometer racecourse that must be completed in under 30 minutes. 

“This edition saw dozens of teams eliminated as early as the technical inspection stage due to strict regulations before they were allowed on the circuit," he explained.

Dr. Abdul Nasir expressed his appreciation for the students' commitment and the support from the dean, faculty, and other parties that greatly contributed to the team's success.

UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, congratulated the UMPSA Tech team for successfully facing the challenges and achieving this victory.

"This tournament provides a solid foundation for building and testing students' knowledge and skills across various technology and engineering disciplines. 

“It also prepares the next generation to build a competitive workforce in line with the country's TVET aspirations," he said.

By: Naqiah Puaad, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)