Drone tech takes off with inclusion in school syllabus

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) syllabus in schools is expected to also include lessons related to the drone industry and technology in the future, says Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Minister said his ministry would work closely with the Education Ministry to realise the plan to increase industry players in the drone sector in the future.

“During the recent National Science Council meeting, the Education Ministry was tasked with bringing up Cabinet papers related to STEM. It will be presenting a memorandum soon and I am confident that this would increase efforts to encourage more students to take up STEM.

“We need to increase our efforts to bring in more student participation and develop talents in STEM,” he told reporters during the pre-launch of Drone Edu Challenge 4.0 here yesterday.

Dr Adham said his ministry encouraged the inclusion of drone technology in the STEM syllabus.

“We have initiated a nationwide campaign to encourage more participation in STEM so that the country can move to a more advanced level,” he said.

On a separate matter, he said his ministry was also looking into increasing the “ratio of robots to humans”. Currently, the ratio stands at 55 robots to every 10,000 humans.

“Our aim is to increase the ratio to 195 units of robots to every 10,000 humans by 2030.

“The council has approved the Robotic Talent Development Academy with the collaboration of various agencies.

“Apart from analysing current needs, we are also training talents through the academy to ensure that we are able to meet the target,” he said.

Dr Adham said efforts would be doubled to increase participation in the robotics industry, including in the drone sector.