Shell Oman and German University of Technology (GUtech) signed a contribution agreement to support students from GUtech’s College of Engineering who will participate in Shell Eco-marathon Asia, scheduled to take place in Singapore, in early 2017. Professor Dr. Michael Modigell, Rector of GUtech, signed the agreement with Chris Breeze, Country Chairman of Shell in Oman, and Mohammed Mahmood Al Balushi, CEO of Shell Oman Marketing Company.
Students from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering of the College of Engineering at GUTech successfully participated in the 2015 and 2016 Shell Eco-marathon competitions that were held in Manila, Philippines with prototypes of fuel efficient vehicles. The GUtech team achieved fifth place in its category in 2015, running on Shell Diesel, a remarkable achievement during their first participation in the competition.
Professor Dr. Michael Modigell, Rector of GUtech stated, “We are very pleased to sign the agreement with Shell for the third year. At GUtech we teach engineering theories and their applications to our students. I believe the Shell Eco-marathon is a great experience for their learning progress and their future professional career. In previous years the Engineering students worked very hard to reach their goals.”
Adding that “I believe it is a great way of increasing the students’ team spirit and applying their engineering knowledge in reality. They also have to deal with the project management, including finances, sponsoring, and transportation and so on. Some of our alumni were able to find excellent jobs because of the experiences they gained through Shell Eco-Marathon, and this is a tribute to the success of the competition.”
Mohammed Mahmood Al Balushi, CEO of Shell Oman Marketing Company, said: “Shell Eco-marathon is an opportunity for the youth in Oman to engage in the global dialogue on sustainable mobility and energy challenges facing the world. It is a rewarding experience to witness their talents and enthusiasm
displayed as they work together designing and building their own cars that end up competing in this global platform. This comes in line with Shell Oman’s corporate social responsibility initiatives that support the efforts in the Sultanate to achieve socially, economically and environmentally sustainable development as we promote fuel economy and innovation.“
Mohamed Salman, a fourth year mechanical engineering student and team leader from GUtech, stated: “Having previously taken part in the 2016 Shell Eco-marathon held in the Philippines, the competition plays a major role in helping me apply the theoretical knowledge gained in class to practical use. Being part of the team and realizing the amount of hard work and dedication required in completing the project is a performance booster for upcoming challenges.”
Shell is active in Oman across the oil and gas industry and is involved in joint venture and independent activities ranging from research and development, exploration and production to trading and retail. Shell also implements extensive social investment programmes that contribute to the sustainable development of the country. For more information about Shell in Oman, visit http://www.shell.com/oman.