Shell showcases STEM at #Mydigitalmaker Fair 2018
Sep 29, 2018
The Prelude from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak emerges grand winner of the #ShellSelamatSampai Varsity Challenge.
Kuala Lumpur – Shell Malaysia today collaborated with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) in the #mydigitalmaker Fair 2018 to showcase Shell’s STEM initiatives comprising the #MyGeekMovement Access to Energy (A2E) project, Shell Eco-Marathon and the Shell V-Power Vroom Puzzle Kit workshop. Part of this feature also included the grand finale of the #ShellSelamatSampai Varsity Challenge (#SSS Varsity Challenge). The fair is taking place on the 29th and 30th of September 2018 at Arena Axiata, Bukit Jalil.
The #MyGeekMovement A2E project showcased A2E prototype invention, created by students which uses imbedded Arduino. The Shell Eco Marathon showcase featured a prototype and urban concept fuel and energy efficiency vehicles. The Shell V-Power Vroom Puzzle Kit workshop was a DIY miniature car kit; a hands-on activity that encouraged students to innovatively ensemble a 3D puzzle that results in the creation of a miniature car.
According to Shairan Huzani Husain, the Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd,in today’s world, Science and Engineering are critical to economic and social progress. Shell’s STEM support seeks not only to inspire more young people to pursue careers in science and engineering, but to equip them with the skills that will prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow.
“Increasing digitalisation and automation are changing the nature and mix of skills that young people will need to remain relevant today and in the future.”
Another feature from Shell at this fair is the #SSS Varsity Challenge grand finale. The #SSS Varsity Challenge is an inter-varsity road safety innovation competition which kick started in 2017. The theme for #SSS Varsity Challenge 2018 is “Goal Zero” and the key objective is to empower young adults (university students) to embark on road safety innovation projects that would contribute towards achieving zero road related accidents among youth and motorcyclists.
“As part of our objective to share the Shell safety culture with the society, we aim to contribute towards reducing road accidents in the county by encouraging our youth to get involved in coming up with innovative measures that will curb these mishaps. Though it’s a road safety initiative, the devices and interventions created are very much STEM related as they involve technology and innovation,” shared Shairan Huzani.
15 teams were selected from Curtin University Malaysia, Monash University Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Selangor. The teams were selected based on their project proposals and each participating team was given RM 1,000 start-up fund to embark on an eight-week project implementation.
At the end of the implementation, the participating teams submitted their final report and the best five teams were shortlisted for the final project presentation in the Grand Finale at the #mydigitalmaker Fair. This year two teams from UMS, two teams from Curtin University Malaysia and one team from UNIMAS made it to the finals.
The judging of these five teams is took place on the 29th of September from 10.30am-12.30pm at the Concourse of Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil. Each team presented its innovative road safety intervention prototype/device to a panel of judges.
The winning team was The Prelude from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. The team came up with an innovative sensor detection system called The Prelude Sensor Detector. This system, when installed at T-junctions, will allow road users to make safe turns. The device had already been successfully tested and installed within the university’s campus.
“We are in shock as we did not expect to win. We are truly happy that our hard work and dedication have paid off. Our next move is to further improve our device and to work towards implementing it in our university and introducing it to the community as we believe this device will help enhance road safety,” said Charles Perumal, the team lead for The Prelude from UNIMAS.
The winning team was awarded its prize on the next day at 10.30am at the Main Stage of Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil. The #SSS Varsity Challenge Champion received a certificate, coveted trophy and a cash prize of RM10,000 by the Guest of Honour, Datuk Rosli bin Isa, Director General, Road Safety Department (JKJR) of Malaysia.
“We believe that the cultivation of STEM begins at the classroom, hence our drive to invest in our youths, equip them with the right skills and tools, and to empower them towards becoming future innovators and engineers who will fulfil the nation’s aspirations,” added Shairan Huzani.
Read more about Shell’s stem initiatives
About #MyGeekMovement
#MyGeekMovement is Shell Malaysia’s STEM education social investment programme that aims to provide learning content that complements the existing Malaysian school co-curricular structure. Students from schools nationwide are empowered to develop and grow the #MyGeekHub in their respective schools. To inspire the students, Shell engineers are assigned as mentors to each team within a #MyGeekHub. These hubs serve as an after-school activity for like-minded students to tinker with STEM education tools such as the Arduino platform and Android application design.
About #ShellSelamatSampai
#ShellSelamatSampai is Shell Malaysia’s social investment programme to comprehensively drive road safety awareness and behavioural change among motorcyclists and youth, who contribute to the highest fatality rate in road accidents in Malaysia (based on findings by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research – “MIROS”). #ShellSelamatSampai aims to create a community-wide road safety culture that empowers Malaysians to advocate, intervene and act to ensure the safety of all road users.
About Shell
Shell is a global leader in power, energy, and gas technology and is working to meet increasing energy demand and supply challenges by delivering smarter products and cleaner energy, infrastructure, and by developing new energy sources while addressing the impact on the environment. Malaysia is one of Shell’s heartlands. The history of Royal Dutch Shell in Malaysia started more than 125 years ago. Shell currently has a strong market presence in the upstream and downstream sector in Malaysia.
For further Media Enquiries, please contact:
Prema Jaybalan
Senior Manager Media Relations and Issues Management, Shell Malaysia
Email: prema.jayabalan@shell.com