Shell rallies youth on clean energy in final PH leg of Eco-Marathon Asia
The world’s youth should play a bigger role in dealing with energy transition linked to climate change which is a real challenge facing the world today.
“[It is] the challenge of providing more clean energy to more people, [ while] developing a better quality of life,” Royal Dutch Shell Chief Financial Officer Simon Henry said yesterday during the Shell Eco Marathon ( SEM) Asia 2016 flag off ceremony at the Rizal Park in Manila.
Quoting the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, whose statue stands several steps away from where he stood, Henry underscored the prestigious event as a personification of the mantra, “The youth is the hope of the future.”
“Today is about how young people are addressing that challenge,” Henry said. “Technology, science, innovation – they’re all part of it.”
He also expressed hope to see some progress in the oil industry technologies soon, as the SEM Asia staged its third and final leg in the Philippines.
SEM Asia, he added, has opened a lot of doors for neighboring countries to help one another improve in many aspects, as it saw more than 100 teams comprised of students from across Asia, Middle East, and Africa test and drive their self- built, fuel- efficient vehicles.
“[ This is a] great opportunity for sharing [ of] ideas, breaking cultural values, and just learning from each other,” Henry said.
The contest also allowed students to be as creative as possible in coming up with their cars’ technical and design aspects.
It has two categories, namely, Prototype, which will let the teams create fine- tuned cars of the future focused on maximizing fuel efficiency, and Urban Concept, which zeroes in on fuel- efficient vehicles that look like regular cars on the road.
Henry said the friendly competition among young innovators will serve as the barometer of “how far we can go.”
“To have a great finish is by keeping our determination toward the achievement of our common goal, especially that the Eco Marathon will be off our shores in the next years to come,” said Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada.
For her, the country has been gaining advantage from competitions such as SEM for it paves the way for the creation of well- meaning projects for the Philippines.
“For three years now, the country has been hosting the Eco Marathon which, in one way or another, became a catalyst in stimulating idea generation, modified perspectives, and a benchmark for crafting policies for the improvement of our transport sector,” Monsada said.
“I hope that the burning passion of Filipinos and all the participants in this event continue to transcend overseas and illuminate to its next stops,” she said. “May we all be inspired to take the big leap for the same advocacy we all have been thrusting for betterment, not only for the oil sector, but [ also] of all sectors of the economy with high regard to the only earth we live in.”
SEM Asia Project Head Lyndon Lumain said Shell will keep on hosting such events “for as long as it takes.”
“We should take care of our energy resources,” Lumain told the Manila Bulletin in an interview at the historic landmark Manila Hotel.
He rallied the Filipinos to participate more in helping the country move forward through activities such as SEM.
SEM first took off in 1939 at a Shell laboratory in the United States, the modern version of which began in France in 1985.
Participating schools are De La Salle University, Mapua Institute of Technology, Ateneo de Davao University, City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy, Far Eastern University Institute of Technology, University of San Carlos, Malayan Colleges Laguna, New Era University, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, National University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Manila, Central Colleges of the Philippines, Don Bosco Technical College – Mandaluyong, Cebu Institute of Technology – University, University of Mindanao, University of the PhilippinesDiliman, Technological Institute of the Philippines-Quezon City and Manila, University of the East, and the University of Santo Tomas. The closing ceremony and awarding rites will be held at the Manila Hotel on Sunday.