JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 20 – After a decade-long hiatus, the Chem-E-Car Competition under the Institution of Chemical Engineers Student Chapter (IChemE-SC) roared back to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) with great success. This year’s competition, themed “Sustainable Innovation with Chemical Means”, showcased the creativity and ingenuity of future chemical engineers as they designed and built miniature cars, powered solely by chemical reactions.
The event brought together nearly 150 students, faculty members, and industry professionals, emphasizing innovation and sustainability in engineering. Participants gained invaluable hands-on experience; assembling mechanical parts provided by the organizer, and most importantly, to innovatively formulate the chemical reactions to power the car. This requires participants to apply theoretical knowledge that they have learnt in classroom into practical challenges while fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.
The event, led by Director Ng Jing Yee (Janiece) and Vice Director Fiorena Santhana Dass, was executed flawlessly, fostering excitement and camaraderie while highlighting UTM’s innovative spirit. The program’s advisor, Dr. Sukri Yusof, provided vital mentorship in financial management and event planning, ensuring the competition’s success and equipping students with essential project management skills.
The competition’s prestige was further elevated by a panel of esteemed judges, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hajar Alias, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umi Aisah Asli, and industry representatives from PETRONAS, IOI Pan Century Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., and Bunge Loders Croklaan. Their technical expertise and experiences have further complemented participants with practical feedbacks to improve their innovation to another level.
Adding to the event’s impact, PETRONAS representatives Imran Adnan and Sathya Murthi Chelladurai delivered a talk entitled “Powering the Future: Engineering Innovations in Upstream Oil and Gas for a Greener Tomorrow”. The session offered students critical insights into sustainable advancements in the energy sector, sparking interest in green engineering innovations.
Looking ahead, the Chem-E-Car Competition 2024 has laid the groundwork for even greater achievements. With the growing urgency of climate change and sustainability, the event has contributed a lot towards positioning UTM as among the leaders in shaping engineers who are prepared to tackle global challenges.
The competition was not just a showcase of innovation but a celebration of teamwork, resilience, and UTM’s commitment to environmental stewardship. As echoed in its theme, “Engineering Innovations, Driving a Sustainable Future”, this year’s competition reaffirms UTM’s mission to inspire future engineers to make a meaningful impact.
