#OmanPride: Oman students gear up for Shell Eco-marathon Asia

Muscat: Six Omani students from the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) are all geared up to represent Oman with their modified and more environment friendly car at the four-day Shell Eco-marathon Asia, which is set to commence on March 3 in Manila, Philippines.
Tariq Al Subhi, Tamer Al Siyabi, Ahmed Al Hadrami, Waleed Al Shukaili and Salim Al Mahrazi, from the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department had teamed up with Sami Al Siyabi of the Mechatronics Engineering Department to modify the vehicle, which is made of an aluminium chassis and a carbon fibre shell (cover). The team was created by SQU’s Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering by assigning faculty members as advisors for the team.
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Speaking on the team’s behalf, Tamer Al Siyabi said, “This is our first time participating in a Shell Eco-marathon and the work we have done reflects how much the team is really excited about the challenge.”
“The main challenge is to build the car from scratch within four months,” said Al Siyabi.
“With hard work and through spending a lot of time working on designing and building a vehicle, we have achieved our goal, which is to build a light vehicle that consumes little fuel.”
The car runs on a gasoline engine, which has been modified for the purpose of reducing fuel consumption. The car’s outer shell was completely manufactured by the new team. “Our team is looking for a new position through this challenge and due to the many improvements made on the car,” he said, adding that these improvements will enhance the performance of the vehicle and reduce fuel consumption.
According to the team members, the project was announced for students and the ones interested had applied to become members of the team.
The Department was looking mainly for students with knowledge of electrical and engine systems and design experience and most importantly students, who are willing to work hard.
The street circuit in Manila tests the boundaries of fuel efficiency and the winners are not measured by speed, but based on who can design a car that can drive the farthest on one litre of fuel. “This gathering gives us a chance to meet many competitors around the world. It is great to represent our country. The end of this gathering is like mutual benefit and experience between the competitors around the world.”
Besides SQU, student teams from GUtech and the Caledonian College of Engineering (CCE) will also be representing the Sultanate next week.