HUST was welcomed home from adventures in Australia
At the University there are many exciting associations that you can get involved in. One of the student associations is HUST, which last autumn participated in a 3 000 km long race through the desert in Australia with its solar-powered racing car. On Friday, the association was officially welcomed home to the University during an event on campus.
It was cool when we started in Darwin and I knew we had 3 000 km ahead of us in Australia.
Alexander Kullenberg, member of HUST
In the association HUST, Halmstad University Solar Team, the students run a project where they build their own racing car powered by solar energy. The goal is to participate in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia, which is the world's largest competition for solar-powered cars. In October, 2023 years competition took place and HUST was one of the participating teams.
On Friday, it was time to welcome them back to campus with speeches, coffee and mingle.
“I am incredibly happy to welcome you home. You are all amazing. What you have done is great”, said the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Malin Hallén and went on to talk about how HUST is a project that ties in well with the University's vision to be value-creating, innovation-driving and socially developing:
“Thank you for representing what the University wants to stand for in such a good way. Welcome home, and welcome home to the car!”
Pro Vice-Chancellor Malin Hallén was on site in building S to speak to the students in HUST and visitors.
Precious memories and experiences
Two of the students in HUST, who were present at Friday's event, are Max Elofsson and Alexander Kullenberg. They both agree that the trip to Australia has given them memories for life.
“This is one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s been incredibly fun, and hard work with long days and a lot to do”, said Max Elofsson, explaining that he sees it as particularly fun to have been involved in the project from start to finish:
“To have been involved from the beginning and in building the car and to have been to Australia, to have been part of that experience feels absolutely incredible.”
The race runs through the Australian countryside from Darwin to Adelaide, and for Alexander Kullenberg, the start was something out of the ordinary.
“It was cool when we started in Darwin and I knew we had 3 000 km ahead of us in Australia. We also overtook Chalmers on the first day. We were happy with that. Then they overtook us again”, said Alexander Kullenberg with a laugh.
Alexander Kullenberg, Max Elofsson and Alma Ahlgren are some of the students in HUST. Here they are in front of the solar-powered car that has been named Sven.
“The best thing I’ve ever done”
Alma Ahlgren is also a member of HUST, and for her, the great team spirit in the group is something that she particularly takes with her from the project.
“I am so incredibly proud of what the team has done and achieved. This is the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. It’s so much more than just driving a car through the desert. We became like a small family, and what I appreciate most is to have been together with people that I get along with and think the same as”, Alma Ahlgren said.
HUST is now looking to the future, and many of the students who participated in 2023 will continue to participate.
“Now we’re going to improve and see what we can do differently. Now we have something to work from”, said Alexander Kullenberg.
Text: Thimmy Mård
Photo: Ida Fridvall
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Read more below about HUST, about all the University's associations and other exciting things to get involved in as a student. In the video, you will also learn more about HUST and their adventures in Australia.
Halmstad University Solar Team
