SIKAT Updates
Sikat pit stops in University of San Carlos - Cebu
01/02/2010
CEBU CITY - The Sikat Solar Car Exhibit was held at the Bunzel building lobby of the College of Engineering of the University of San Carlos-Talamban (USC-TC). Prior to the exhibit in the USC-TC, a motorcade comprised of 20 vehicles and more than 80 USC-TC faculty and students was held from Cebu’s Pier 5 to the USC-Talamban campus.
Student participation was vibrant and active, with 158 students coming collectively from Cebu City National Science High School, Talamban National High School, Camp Lapu-lapu National High School, and Cebu Technological University, apart from the USC-TC students attending the event. A Sikat demo run outside the Bunzel building was conducted by the Sikat team, which left the spectators awed and applauding.
Engr. Christine Gohetia was the programme’s lively host, while Dr. Roland Galindo, USC-TC’s Community Extension Co-ordinator for Engineering, delivered the invocation: “This would not have been possible if it were not for the grace of God. I, together with my family and my church, will always be praying for the safety and success of Sikat’s journey.”
Afterwards, Dr. Nicanor Buenconsejo, Jr., Dean of USC-Talamban’s College of Engineering, delivered the welcome address, along with a short lecture on renewable energy. Shell’s Sustainable Development Manager, Suiee Suarez, delivered the response to Dr. Buenconsejo’s welcome address, reiterating the need of the Philippines for more engineers, scientists and technical people to help solve the country’s numerous problems and stressing the importance of harnessing sun’s energy as an alternative energy source. Father Peru Dayag, USC-TC Administrator, and Dr. Nicanor Buenconsejo, did the symbolic patching of the University of San Carlos’s coat of arms to the Sikat Logo Wall, signifying that USC-TC has become an official part of the Sikat Solar Car Journey. They then proceeded to the Sikat Commitment Wall, wherein Fr. Dayag was the first to affix his signature.
Module presentations were held at the Rigney Hall of the USC-TC campus, wherein the student members of Team Sikat discussed the technical aspects of the solar car.
Suarez talked about Shell’s energy scenarios with engaging cartoons tackling the topics of global warming and climate change. A Shell video entitled “Clearing the Air” was shown, featuring the story of a young intern’s determination to make a difference and how he was able to do this by embarking on a career with Shell, where he was able to contribute to the successful production of the cleaner Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) fuel that has significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions. The use of GTL fuel in highly populated cities like Athens in Greece has led to lesser vehicular pollution through the efforts poured by Shell into the research and development of cleaner fuels.
Lastly, Darius Macusi of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature introduced the idea of renewable energy to the student audience. A Sikat entertainment programme was conducted in the afternoon, with trivia contests on Sikat and climate change, and a Mr. and Ms. Sikat were chosen from the student audience. The Engineering Popjazz group Kinesyx also performed a dance number.
The Sikat solar car, the Philippine’s second solar car, is developed as the Philippine’s entry to the World Solar Challenge that will be held in October 2011 in Australia. The Sikat team is supported by the Philippine Solar Challenge Society, which is composed of De La Salle University – Manila, First Gen, Ford, Motolite, Shell and Sunpower. [Zette Gabinete, Infinit 1]
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