35 Usim students to compete in Dubai solar energy project competition

NILAI: Thirty-five students from the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (FKAB) of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim) will represent Malaysia at the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018 (SDME 2018) in Dubai in November.

The team, which will compete to design and build a solar-powered house, will be joined by 20 engineering students from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and will be the only representative from Southeast Asia in the final round of the competition.

Usim, which will go against 21 teams from 16 countries, will showcase its Mizanhome Project — a house that uses solar energy and has technologies that ensure a comfortable living in the dry, hot climate of the Middle East.

Usim Vice-Chancellor Datuk Dr Musa Ahmad said the project would involve different multi-disciplines, giving students the opportunity to learn technical issues, team work and communication skills, and explore matters related to sustainable living.

“This project challenges students to adapt their designs to the heat, dust and (low) humidity synonymous with the Middle East,” he said.

Musa said that in support of Usim’s efforts on the Mizanhome Project, six local companies and one Thai company had agreed to sponsor construction materials and financing for the project.

“The collaboration with these (companies)… will not only ensure that the project will be a success, but will open opportunities for them to be directly involved with the (sustainable lifestyle) industry. We are honoured and committed to the success of this project,” Musa said at the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between Usim and industry partners in conjunction with the SDME 2018 at Usim here yesterday.

The competition will see participation from the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Taiwan, Pakistan, Italy and the United States