Iskandar Investment, in collaboration with Avitex Solution, a company of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), is organising their third and fourth cohort of the Iskandar Puteri Junior Drone Pilot Programme (IPJDP) in Iskandar Puteri.
The program kicked off in December 2021 and was designed to engage with the local community and other interested parties looking for opportunities to expose their children to emerging technology. Iskandar Puteri is home to a Drone and Robotics Zone championed by IIB, recognised by Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation as a National Technology and Innovation Sandbox. This grassroots initiative aligns with IIB’s vision of building Iskandar Puteri as an inclusive and sustainable future metropolis, via seeding local talent and interest within the community.
The Junior Drone Pilot Programme focuses on STEM education, which includes basic technical knowledge, piloting, programming skills and, most importantly, safety related to drone operations. Open to Primary and Secondary school students with no prior exposure to drones, this programme is targeted to expose the younger generation to emerging technologies and their various applications via hands-on, experiential learning programmes.
According to Dato’ Idzham Mohd Hashim, President and CEO of IIB, “With the increase in drone companies and service providers operating in Iskandar Puteri via IIB’s Drone and Robotics Zone Iskandar initiative, the Junior Drone Pilot Programme hopes not only to strengthen the community around drones and robotics but also to expose, encourage and empower the younger generation to pursue careers in technology and innovation.”
He added, “This programme will nurture an innovation-centric ecosystem to enhance economic activities and new talent development within Iskandar Malaysia. We hope the programme will catalyse local talent development towards positioning Iskandar Puteri as an emerging technology and talent hub for Malaysia and the Asia Pacific Region.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Zulafif bin Rahim, Managing Director of Avitex Solution said, “STEM learning from an early age is vital to ensure that students are equipped with skills to cope in a world dependent on technology. We now have the tools to keep students engaged and passionate about these subjects. Incorporating Idrones in education is the new way of making learning more fun, innovative and interactive for the younger generation.”
