NILAI: Thirty-five students from the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (FKAB) of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim) will represent Malaysia at the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018 (SDME 2018) in Dubai in November.
The team, which will compete to design and build a solar power house, will be joined by 20 engineering students from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and will be the only representative from Southeast Asia in the final round of the competition.
Usim, which will go against 21 other teams from 16 countries, will showcase its Mizanhome Project – a house which uses solar energy and is equipped with a variety of modern technologies that ensure comfortable living in the dry, hot climate of the Middle East.
Usim vice chancellor Datuk Dr Musa Ahmad said the project will involve different multi-disciplines, giving participating students the opportunity to learn various technical issues, team work and communication skills; and explore matters related to sustainable living.
“This project challenges students to adapt their designs to the heat, dust and (low) humidity synonymous with the Middle East,” he said.
Musa said that in support of Usim’s efforts on the Mizanhome Project, six local companies and one Thai company have agreed to sponsor the project in terms of construction materials as well as financing.
“The collaboration with these (companies)… will not only ensure that the project will be a success, but that it will also open opportunities for the students to be directly involved with the (sustainable lifestyle) industry.
“We are very honoured and committed to the success of this project,” Musa said at the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Usim and industry partners in conjunction with the SDME 2018 held at Usim here, today.
Besides Malaysia, the competition will see participation from the UAE, Australia, Taiwan, Pakistan, Italy and the United States, among others.