Road ready: The Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Racing Team posing for a photo with the vehicle.
FIVE years of research and development finally came to fruition with the launch of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Racing Team’s (HWUMRT) first road-ready electric vehicle prototype.
Built with a focus on sustainability, the prototype was designed to lessen noise pollution and to encourage the use of clean sources of energy for zero carbon emissions, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
The HWUMRT started in 2019 when the varsity received a single-passenger car prototype from Universiti Malaya.
It was decided then that more students should participate in studying the donated car as part of their extracurricular activity.
Realising the project’s learning potential, it was then added to the varsity’s mechanical engineering curriculum the following year, under the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS).
The racing car project has since helped students to maximise their potential by enabling them to push themselves and to apply the knowledge learnt.
Since its inception, the project, which also serves to mentor new students, has seen some 20 students from across the varsity’s programmes such as actuarial science and quantity surveying participating annually.
During its launch last month, HWUM deputy provost Prof Dennis Wong said the successful car prototype required students to use practical learning that goes beyond engineering and technical knowledge, as well as skills in project management, finance, branding, and human resource management, with sustainability at its core.
These non-technical skills are essential in the 21st century, he added.
Event organising committee chairman Assistant Professor Riady Siswoyo Jo said the project served as a great training opportunity for students to develop their team management skills by working with various stakeholders to present a technical product that is beneficial and relevant to the public.
