Energy Efficient Car Contest (KMHE) 2016 was officially opened by Prof. Intan Ahmad, Ph.D, Directorate General of Learning and Student Affairs, Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, in the Prambanan Temple, Tuesday (1/11). The competition which will be held for 4 days, November 1st – 4th, 2016, is followed by 60 teams from 38 universities throughout Indonesia.
The competition was initiated by the Directorate General of Higher Education, for students to master the science and automotive technology of energy efficient and environmentally friendly innovation. Besides, it acts as a platform to apply students’ knowledge and develop their creativity in designing and building economical, safe and environmentally friendly vehicles while sharpening their soft and hard skills.
Representing the Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Intan Ahmad said that there have been many intercorrelated changes occuring in the world between globalization and the development of science and technology. Before, the world economic paradigm placed the development of innovation and technology as supporting system, but in the new millenia the development of science and technology has become the basic fundamentals of the formation of new economic paradigm, which is called as knowledge-based economy.
Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education that has 7 + 1 Priority Program, which are energy, agriculture and food, health and medicine, Information Technology, transportation, defense and security, advanced technology materials and maritime / marine has made energy as focus of the program. Besides, the energy issue is an important element for national economy.
“The biggest energy that we use is oil energy, which is a fossil energy with transportation its biggest consumers,” he said on the opening of the event.
The oil energy, said Intan, will run out in less than 30 years. This conditions would cause a big problem if the life style is not changed, from wasteful energy habits to energy saving culture.
Therefore, Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education is trying to develop an energy efficient and enviromentally friendly new automotive technology; one of which is by creating fuel saving, environmentally friendly vehicle.
“Nowadays car manufacturers are competing for fuel saving vehicle or vehicle with alternative energy such as hybrid cars,” he said.
KMHE 2016, said Intan, is expected to contribute to the reasoning abilities, creative and critical thinking while sharpening oral and and writing communication skills of the students. It is also expected to develop the students’ ability to innovate professional skills in their respective fields and team work.
“Last but not least, KMHE 2016 is expected to create scientific attitude and value among students,” he added.
Dr Senawi, M.P., chairman of the event committee, stated that Energy Efficient Car Contest is an annual contest. This year is the 5th year, organized by UGM. As many as 127 participants from 57 universities throughout Indonesia would participate here.
Some categories competed in the competition are Urban car which represents fuel saving city car and prototype category which represents future Energy Efficient Vehicles. Fuel categories that are competed are gasoline, diesel, as well as ethanol and electricity.
“This year, 27 teams competed in the category of Urban, which consist of eight teams in urban petrol, 5 teams of urban diesel, 4 teams of urban ethanol, and 10 teams of urban electricity. While in the prototype category is followed by 33 vehicles, which consist of 12 teams in prototype gasoline , 4 teams in prototype diesel, five teams in prototype ethanol and 12 teams in prototype electricity, ” Senawi stated.
Senawi stressed the criteria of the winner should be the most energy efficient. Of all categories will be taken three winners, and off-track awards which are the best team and best video.
“There would also be other awards presented by FDR Tyre for those who use FDR Tyre,” he said.
The opening of competition was enlivened by traditional Javanese music and dance by UGM Student Activity Unit. It was complemented by the performance of Marching Band UGM.