Visitors to Al Forsan International Sports Resort racetrack in Abu Dhabi will witness the first ever “2014 TAQA GCC Hybrid Electric Challenge” with student teams from reputed universities across the Gulf region competing against each other in hybrid electric cars personally designed by them. Panasonic is supporting the initiative, and has teamed up with the highly potential Abu Dhabi University who represent the Emirate.

Organized by Global Education Energy Environment Organisation, hosted by the Petroleum Institute and supported by the Emirates Foundation, the 2014 TAQA GCC Hybrid Electric Challenge is sponsored by TAQA and will be held in Abu Dhabi, from the 29th to 31st of January 2014. Whilst the first day of the championships will see a race of battery-powered electrical cars on the Al Forsan racetrack, the team that records the longest distance and highest average speed wins. On Day 2 the generator-powered electrical hybrid cars go bumper to bumper, and the team with the highest distance in the three hour endurance race wins.The overall winner will be crowned by averaging the scores of the two days.

Panasonic has been leading environmental initiatives tailored to support local communities and this association with Abu Dhabi University is a result of the ongoing scholarship programme initiated by the company for the welfare of the students. Panasonic has been involved in sponsoring first year students in the Bachelor of Environmental Science at Abu Dhabi University.

The primary goal of the competition is to provide a hands-on environment in which undergraduate engineering, science, technology and business management students apply what they learn in the classroom to devise real-world solutions.

“As an eco-engineering company, our commitment to solar energy is reflected in the many years we have spent refining our technology. With the world racing to an era where fuel shortages will have adverse impacts, it is imperative that we educate and engage in proactive solutions to protect our future. Coming from a global leader in high efficiency and innovative solar solutions, association with initiatives like this, not only reiterate our commitment further but also position us as a company that is keen to protect the environment and its people alike. Through our association with Abu Dhabi University we are able to support the mutual goal of protecting the environment while also providing opportunities for students to think and work towards a sustainable future”, said Mr Shinichi Wakita, Managing Director, Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa.

"As an educational institution, we have a responsibility towards the environment. By working with Panasonic, we can help our students realize their aspirations of building environmentally friendly products that will in turn help build a sustainable future for generations to come. We have a strong team and a good strategy in place to try to win the 2014 TAQA GCC Hybrid Electric Challenge. We are particularly grateful for Panasonic’s sponsorship, and to be associated with a company that is eco-driven”, added Dr. Nabil Ibrahim, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University.
Recently, Panasonic has announced to provide technical support to Tokai University’s solar car team, which will compete in the 2013 World Solar Challenge (WSC 2013), one of the world’s biggest races for solar cars, to be held in Australia. Under the sponsorship agreement, Panasonic will provide the Japanese university team with its HIT solar cells which boast the industry’s top-class electricity output as well as its high-capacity lithium-ion batteries.
“Panasonic’s sponsorships, global and regional are based on supporting a number of events and activities that resonate with the company’s philosophy of contributing to society, either by providing cutting edge technology, or in this case supporting students to learn from activities that they enjoy doing most.,” added Mr Anthony Peter, Director, Brand Communications, Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa.

Panasonic will celebrate its 100th anniversary by donating 100,000 solar lanterns to help some of the one billion people without access to electricity in developing countries across Asia and Africa by 2018. The company has already donated 3,000 lanterns to non-profit organizations in Myanmar and 5,000 lanterns to those in India over the last couple of months, and a refugee camp in Kenya recently received 2,000 lanterns.
The company’s pledge for the Middle East and Africa underscores its commitment to offer a green lifestyle to the people of the region, as well as pursuing a green business-style in its everyday business activities.
 

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