By Bonnie James/Deputy News Editor

Three student teams from Qatar will compete against 140 teams from 17 countries in the Shell Eco-marathon Asia at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from July 4 to 7.
The teams – two from Qatar University (QU) and one from Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ) - unveiled yesterday the ultra-fuel-efficient vehicles they will be entering in the event.
Qatar Shell managing director and chairman Wael Sawan, QU president Prof Sheikha al-Misnad, TAMUQ dean and CEO Dr Mark H Weichold and the student competitors were present at the ceremony.
Shell Eco-marathon is one of the world’s “most innovative and challenging” student competitions held annually in Europe, America and Asia where university student teams are challenged to design, build and compete with some of the world’s most energy efficient vehicles. The winner is the team that goes the furthest distance using the least amount of energy.
Both QU and TAMUQ are participating in Shell Eco-marathon for the third time. They were the first from the region to compete in the event in 2011. Last year, one of the QU teams achieved second place in its category, running on Shell Gas to Liquids. This year 14 universities from the Middle East are participating.
“Shell Eco-marathon aligns perfectly with the Qatar National Vision 2030, touching the Human, and Environmental pillars through its focus on education, team-work, environment and scientific innovation,” Sawan said.
The current record was established in 2010 by the Polyjoule team from Polytech Nantes University, France, by achieving a distance of 4896.1 km/l equivalent with their fuel cell powered vehicle.
“This is the equivalent of driving from Doha to Moscow on a single litre of fuel,” he explained while pointing out that the project fosters real-world engineering skills combined with soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, project management and communication that impart an edge to the students as they enter the job market. Four of the Qatar participants from last year have already been employed by Qatar Shell.  
Prof al-Misnad observed that participation in Shell Eco-marathon allows QU students to work in teams, “practically applying all they have learned in the classroom and showing that they are among the best young engineers internationally who can play a key role in Qatar’s development.”
QU is also conducting a research project on the learning and development benefits for engineering students participating in the Shell Eco-marathon. It is a first in the world to assess the competition’s academic impact.
Dr Weichold said that Shell Eco-marathon represents real-life engineering at work and explores pioneering ways to use alternative energy sources. The challenges of this global event enrich students’ learning both inside and outside of the classroom.
For the second consecutive year Qatar Airways will sponsor the air freight for the Qatari teams’ vehicles from Doha to Kuala Lumpur and back.
“It’s great to see students in Qatar share our commitment to achieving the most fuel-efficient transportation for current and future generations,” Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker said in a message.