Abu Dhabi University has unveiled its first hybrid electric car, designed by a group of students from the College of Engineering and sponsored by "Panasonic" in a bid to participate in the region's first "2014 TAQA GCC Hybrid Electric Challenge". Aptly named "ADU's Green Gears" (ADU G2), the student team will compete against 11 other teams from Universities throughout the region in the 3-day challenge that will run from 29th - 31st of January on Al Forsan International Sports Resort Race Track, racing hybrid petro and battery powered electrical cars to record the longest distance and fastest average speed wins. Held on the University's Abu Dhabi campus, students, faculty and staff witnessed the unveiling in the presence of Dr. Nabil Ibrahim Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, Dr. Aly Nazmy Interim Provost, Dean of the College of Engineering, Anthony Peter Director of Brand Communications Department at "Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Africa", Dr. Hamdi Sheibani Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department at the College of Engineering and Dr. Hussien Ali Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Speaking at the unveiling, Dr. Nabil Ibrahim Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University commended the student team on their hard work and efforts in implementing the intricate design of their first hybrid electric car. "We're very proud of all of 12 brilliant students who have participated in this project and we're looking forward to have them represent Abu Dhabi University during the first 2014 TAQA GCC Hybrid Electric Challenge and go head-to-head opposite their counterparts from different universities in the Gulf region. After months of work and tireless dedication, ADU's Green Gears team have succeeded in finding the right equation needed to balance the function of the car between its advanced Lithium batteries and the petrol generator in the most energy efficient manner, and we'll all be cheering them on when they hit the race track next week", said Dr. Ibrahim. On his part, Interim Provost and Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Aly Nazmy said: "The Green Gears team represent a new era at Abu Dhabi University as they are the students of the first cohort of ADU's Mechanical Engineering program. The team also includes two 3rd year students who will hopefully participate in the competition next year with the experience they learned this time around. We're grateful for Panasonic's sponsorship and we hope that the Green Gears team inspires other Abu Dhabi University students to take similar initiatives such as competing in national and international competitions". Organized by Global Education Energy Environment Organization, the 2014 TAQA GCC Hybrid Electric Challenge is hosted by the Petroleum Institute, and supported by the Emirates Foundation.