Shell's road safety initiative for tertiary education students, known as the Shell Selamat Sampai Varsity Challenge, took place in Kuala Lumpur. With the theme 'Innovate! Captivate! Safe Lives!', the challenge aimed to empower Malaysian university and college students to propose creative STEM solutions for road safety. The grand winner was Team APU from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation, presenting their project, Guardian Defense Unit. This project is centred on preventing accidents and minimizing injury severity in motorcycle transportation, effectively tackling crucial road safety concerns.
As per the winning team, the Guardian Defense Unit (G.D.U) plays a crucial role in improving motorcycle safety, contributing to safer transportation for everyone involved. The team consisted of Aaron Raj Bhatti and Cajun Tai Ka Joon, pursuing a Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering, along with Ronak Robert Vijai, a graduate of the same program, and Sharen Chrisan Fabian Perera, a student in Electric and Electronic Engineering. Team APU's triumph is a noteworthy accomplishment as they are the first from a private university to win a competition typically dominated by public universities. The team was awarded a cash prize of US$ 2,100, individual champion medals, and a champion trophy. This victory underscores their ability to address real-world challenges, highlighting not only technical expertise but also critical problem-solving skills and effective teamwork. The competition's multidisciplinary nature has equipped them with a comprehensive approach to problem-solving, fostering adaptability and strong communication skills.
The 2023 grand finale was assessed by a panel that included experts from the Ministry of Higher Education, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, and Shell Malaysia's High-Risk Transport Road Safety Advisor. The competition commenced with video proposal submissions, followed by a 12-week project development phase, a virtual boot camp, and judging sessions. The overarching theme focused on utilizing STEM to address road safety challenges. The team's success not only underscores the potential for private institutions to excel in road safety innovations but also opens avenues for new opportunities. The recognition of the Guardian Defense Unit (G.D.U) signifies the team's dedication to excellence and innovation in the realm of road safety and transportation.
