Universitas Indonesia (UI) students have again made the nation proud internationally. The Nakoela Team secured 1st place in the Prototype Hydrogen Vehicle category. At the same time, the Arjuna Team ranked 4th in the Urban Battery Electric category at the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia-Pacific and Middle East 2025, held on February 8–12, 2025, in Qatar. This achievement demonstrates Indonesian students commitment to developing eco-friendly vehicle technology and solidifies Universitas Indonesia’s position as a hub for sustainable technology innovation.
Upon returning to Indonesia, the Supermileage Vehicle (SMV) UI Team received direct recognition from the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. The appreciation ceremony was held at the Professor’s Hall, FTUI Dean’s Building (March 19). The team members were accompanied by Dr.-Ing. Ridho Irwansyah, S.T., M.T. and Prof. Dr. Ario Sunar Baskoro, S.T., M.T., M.Eng., who served as the team’s faculty advisors. During the session, the students shared their journey throughout the competition, including technical challenges on the track, vehicle design strategies, and their experiences competing against some of the world’s best teams. The FTUI Dean emphasized that this achievement is concrete proof that UI students can compete globally and contribute to the advancement of green technology.
Prof. Kemas stated, “This is an extraordinary achievement, and I deeply appreciate it. I hope this inspires other students, especially engineering students, as it is a very positive endeavor. We will continue to provide support. With Universitas Indonesia’s efforts to enhance its UI GreenMetric ranking through infrastructure development and initiatives toward a sustainable university at the global level, we can use this momentum to campaign for a greener campus and a greener Indonesia.”
“I hope this achievement does not stop at the competition level but leads to further actions that create tangible impacts for Indonesia, particularly in the automotive industry, so that society can benefit from these innovations. We also hope that students will be involved as researchers in developing eco-friendly vehicles with the potential to compete internationally, especially when the government is focusing on national energy resilience.”
During the discussion, the SMV UI Team explained the hydrogen technology used in their vehicle. This technology offers the advantage of fast refueling and zero emissions, making it an attractive alternative to conventional batteries. However, significant production and safety challenges require further research and support from various stakeholders.
Also present at the event, Prof. Dr. Ir. Yanuar, M.Eng., M.Sc., Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs, emphasized the crucial role of academic institutions in facilitating research and innovation. “With proper guidance and support, our students can create innovative solutions that benefit not only the nation but also have a positive global impact,” he stated.
The discussion also covered strategic steps for the future, including collaborations with industry and government. The FTUI Dean encouraged the team to continue developing this project and exploring broader implementation possibilities at both the national and international levels.
This inspiring meeting marks a new beginning for the SMV UI Team in their efforts to contribute further to the transformation of green technology in Indonesia. With full support from the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, it is hoped that more sustainable innovations will emerge from the nation’s talented young generation.
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Public Communication Office
Faculty of Engineering Universitas Indonesia
