BIG THINGS have small beginnin s. This was how the Shell Eco-marathon (SEM) started, to later become the clo al phenomenon it is today. This worldwide championship where students 3uild energy-efficient cars and pit them against each other started 81 years ago. In 1 939, when fossil fuel exploration was starting to become an important commodity and global geopolitical asset, two US researchers competed against each other in a bid to use the Ieast fuel in their cars. The competition was measured by the longest distance traveled using one gallon. The competition which was originally for the entertainment of the scientists during busy work then became a kind of annual tradition and more serious. Every year, the efficiency of fuel use also increases. ln 1985, this competition was launched in France with the format it takes today. The connpetition regions were expanded to include America (2007) and Asia (2010). Since 2016, the winning teams of the three zones have been competing in the Drivers' World Championship (DWC) in London. Front cover image Above : "Team Semar 1 (UGM), SEM Asia 2011" (Photo: Eldred Lim Chin Ban for Shell). Below : "Bumi Siliwangi Team 4 (UPI Bandung), DWC 2016" (Photo: Jeff Moore for Shell). THE SEM has become a prestigious event for students from Asia and aII over the world to test their creativity anc innovation in the world's energy challenges. This competition motivates students in Indonesia to participate. Finally, in 2016 and 2018, Indonesian teams successfully become world champion of SEM World (DWC). The achievements of the teams of Indonesian students has prove Indonesia's reputation and demonstrated that Indonesia has high-quality human resources who can compete at an international level. Their innovations can inspire younger generations to innovate to create future energy solutions.