In a world full of complex challenges and hungry for sustainable solutions, 35 University of Houston students stepped up to innovate, collaborate and reimagine the world by participating in a Shell NXplorers event at UH in the fall of 2024.

At the end of a rigorous yet career-defining week, Platinum Frontier Energy, a team of six undergraduate and graduate students from economics, chemical engineering, physics, management information systems, finance and political science won first place.

Their proposal focused on using green hydrogen fuel — a clean energy source that emits only water vapor — to reduce air pollution in industrial neighborhoods. The solution was praised for its feasibility and potential impact on community health.

“Participating in Shell NXplorers reaffirmed my belief that collaboration and innovation are key to solving global challenges,” says senior economics major and team member Kamaldeen Haruna. “I gained a deeper understanding of systems thinking and the value of collaboration in solving complex problems.”

Other team members included Kenneth Kusima, a chemical engineering doctoral student; Benise Niyikiza, a physics doctoral student; Nidhi Gongati, a management information systems graduate student; Joshua Holl, a finance graduate student; and Gerardo Angulo, a political science junior.

The growth of a partnership

Shell and UH’s Division of Energy and Innovation partnered to bring Shell NXplorers to UH. The program is designed to equip future leaders with new ways of thinking and to grow an engaged, ambitious global community with the confidence, skills and vision to address local and global challenges, as underlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

“This partnership between Shell and the University of Houston exemplifies how academia and industry can collaborate to tackle the energy challenges of our time,” says Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president of energy and innovation at UH.

Shell and UH — The Energy University — have a long-standing partnership focused on addressing complex energy challenges through strategic collaboration, leveraging resources, and developing talents and skills of future energy leaders. This relationship, originally fostered through Shell’s Campus Ambassadors program, includes a transformative $10 million contribution from Shell USA Inc. and Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc. that established the UH Energy Transition Institute in 2022.

Recognizing the need for broader skills such as collaboration and systems thinking, Shell and UH leaders hosted the NXplorers event to prepare students for tackling complex global issues.

Build them up, set them loose

From more than 100 applicants, 35 top students were selected for a two-day workshop led by a team of experienced energy leaders from Shell. Participants were introduced to tools such as systems thinking, scenario planning and change management, and they worked in interdisciplinary teams to explore solutions to energy challenges.

Following the workshop, a week of mentoring sessions helped the groups refine their ideas and pitch them to a panel of expert judges from Shell and UH.

May Shek, market development manager at Shell Chemical and Shell UH campus recruiting manager, served as a judge. From her front-row seat, Shek observed students transforming from strangers to collaborators.

“I was inspired by the growth of the students in such a short time,” she says. “The program encapsulates what we look for in future employees and future leaders in the industry: the ability to tackle complex problems while collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders.”

The program encapsulates what we look for in future employees and future leaders in the industry: the ability to tackle complex problems while collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders.”

Collaboration in action

The event united participants from diverse academic disciplines, bringing a variety of perspectives to the table. The students learned to break down multifaceted problems, identify interconnected elements and approach challenges with a holistic mindset.

Holl, who eventually wants to work in renewable energy, appreciated the teamwork the task required.

“My favorite part was how my group, having never met before, came together to accomplish an amazing feat within one week,” he says.

The diverse backgrounds of the teams were a strength, according to Kusima, who wants to develop broad skills that will let him take advantage of future opportunities in both academia and industry.

“Each member brought unique skills, knowledge and perspectives, yet we shared a passion for learning and openness to new ideas,” he says. “This dynamic allowed me to learn something valuable from everyone.”

Changing perspectives

Holl found the workshop’s emphasis on critical thinking rewarding. “It was an opportunity to develop a skill that you often can’t find training in: critical thinking and truly understanding a problem instead of just speeding toward a solution.”

Gongati, who is interested in leveraging technology to drive sustainable initiatives that impact public health, was impressed by Shell’s methodology.

“The exploration of risk identification and mitigation strategies opened my eyes to potential risks I had never considered before,” she says. “We delved from higher-level risks to lower-level risks, thoroughly breaking down each one. This analytical approach was invaluable.”

Empowering a new generation of leaders

The NXplorers event was more than just a workshop; it was a transformative experience that equipped students with the skills necessary to lead the energy transition and shape a path toward a more sustainable future.

“My hope is that students continue to harness their ability to think bigger, to see the bigger picture, and to understand the power of shifting their perspective and working with other people,” says Shell NXplorers global lead Tariq Hussain.

Krishnamoorti emphasized the program’s role as a bridge.

“This program is a testament to what’s possible when academia and industry collaborate,” he says. “These students are equipped to drive meaningful change, shaping a healthier, low-carbon future for us all.”