The Semar Team from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) began 2026 with a remarkable international achievement. The accomplishment was achieved at the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia Pacific and Middle East 2026, held at the Lusail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar, from 21 to Jan. 25 2026. In the prestigious competition, the Semar Team secured two championship titles. The Semar Urban vehicle won First Place in the Urban Hydrogen category, while the Semar Prototype vehicle claimed Third Place in the Electric Prototype category.
This achievement is even more meaningful given that the competition drew more than 1,000 students from 15 countries across 70 teams, up from 61 teams in the previous year. In this event, Semar UGM sent 20 students from the student activity unit (UKM).
The General Manager of Semar, Muhammad Ghani Prayatna, expressed his gratitude for the team’s achievement, noting that this marked UGM’s second participation in the Shell Eco-Marathon in Qatar.
Prayatna explained that the process undertaken by the Semar Team was lengthy and well-structured. This was particularly challenging as the team participated in two major competitions at both national and international levels, namely the Energy-Efficient Car Contest (Kontes Mobil Hemat Energi/KMHE) and the international Shell Eco-Marathon.
“We prepared for an entire year. Because the fuel used in KMHE and the Shell Eco-Marathon differs, we had to conduct special testing for SEM 2026. From March to June, we focused on hydrogen vehicle testing. From July to October on KMHE preparation, and from October to December specifically on Shell Eco-Marathon,” he said on Monday (Feb. 2).
According to Prayatna, the biggest challenge during the preparation phase was limited time, while during the competition, challenges arose from weather conditions, rigorous technical inspections, and indications of misconduct.
“When the obstacles were technical or subjective, I tried to calm the team and reassure them that our car complied with the regulations. For indications of misconduct, I asked the team to stay focused on the vehicle, while I handled the coordination with other communities,” he explained.
In facing these situations, the Semar Team also received support from various parties, particularly the UGM Alumni Family (KAGAMA) in Qatar and team mentors. Throughout the preparation and mentoring process, the team was supported by its academic supervisor, Dr. Jayan Sentanuhady.
“We consistently coordinated with our academic supervisor and KAGAMA in Qatar. This support was very helpful in determining strategies and addressing various challenges during the competition,” Prayatna added.
Nevertheless, Prayatna emphasized that this achievement should be seen not only as a collective victory in competition but also as a valuable lesson in managing emotions and team dynamics under pressure.
“The most memorable moment for me was not when Semar UGM won the championship, but when I was able to provide meaningful experience and knowledge to all team members. From that, I learned that emotional regulation and team dynamics are crucial in dealing with challenges on the field,” Prayatna said.
Meanwhile, the Director of Student Affairs at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Dr. Hempri Suyatna, conveyed his appreciation and congratulations to the Semar Team for its achievement, which has brought pride to UGM on the international stage.
Furthermore, Dr. Suyatna assessed that the team’s success was driven by two key factors: continuous innovation (sustainability) and team solidarity, which can serve as a model for improving student achievement and competencies.
“This championship achievement is expected to serve as motivation for even greater accomplishments in the future,” he said.
Prayatna hopes that the Semar Team UGM will continue to excel in national and international competitions and create opportunities for collaboration with private-sector partners, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), and the government.
“We hope that the Semar Team UGM and other Indonesian teams can receive greater support from the government, both financially and emotionally. In addition, we also hope that national automotive companies will be willing to collaborate with the Semar Team UGM,” he concluded.
Author/Post-editor: Zabrina Kumara Putri
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographs: Semar Team