MTDC, SG Akademi ink MoU to develop drone tech, talent

• Co9P drone and IoT Centre to provide drone-related training, solutions
• Launch of Malaysia’s first FPV Certified programs

THE Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) and SG Akademi Sdn Bhd (a TVET college) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the goal of strengthening talent development in the drone industry via MTDC’s Centre of 9 Pillars (Co9P™).

With this, MTDC and SG Akademi will collaborate in the areas of capacity-building, training, technology development and Industry 4.0-related technological services specifically in the area of drone technology and Internet of Things (IoT), MTDC said in a statement

Born from this would be the Co9P Drone and IoT Centre, which will provide drone-related trainings and solutions for the country.

According to MTDC, local drone-related industries has seen growing demand for skilled talents that are not just trained to operate the drones, but are also proficient in all aspects of drone technology including hardware maintenance and drone-support software application.

MTDC added that the establishment of the centre, coupled with the technical expertise from SG Akademi, will enable MTDC to further assist Malaysian businesses in identifying local talents for their customised drone needs and also in the creation and development of “drone technopreneurs.”

The centre will focus on providing training and certification programs as well as production of drones for the local industries, it said.

MTDC’s Centre of 9 Pillars is a dedicated centre for industry 4.0, which houses Industry 4.0 partners and relevant ecosystem companies. It facilitates networking with other business professionals, researchers, academicians, and industry experts to collaboratively develop local Industry 4.0 technologies, services and solutions.

There are now more than 20 locally developed Industry 4.0 technology solutions readily available at the Co9P that industries can tap into, MTDC claimed.

The FPV view

The MoU signing ceremony also witnessed the launching of what is touted as Malaysia’s premier First Person View (FPV) certified programs, as well as the presentation of certificates to the participants from Institut Kemahiran Baitulmal who had earlier attended the drone training. 

FPV.drone.edu.my is a platform providing drone piloting training utilising FPV tech, which allows pilots to navigate the drone in a first-person perspective, MTDC explained.

Besides that, the SGA presented a sponsorship worth US$24,273 (RM100,000) for "Assured Certified Drone Maintenance and Repair Proficient training programs, in which RM50,000 has already been given to 10 Institut Kemahiran Baitulmal students (worth RM5,000) each in October 2020.

[RM1 = US$0.242]

Ten more students will also receive the balance of the sponsorship where they will be given the opportunity to undergo a 14-day drone training course at Co9P Drone & IoT Centre.

 “This partnership will see MTDC and SGA identifying more participants for trainings, workshops and seminars within the country’s SMEs, students, government officials, universities/research institutions as well as individuals interested to be trained in drones and IoT,” said Norhalim Yunus, chief executive officer of MTDC.

“This also underlines MTDC’s commitment as the strategic enabler for Industry 4.0 and to nurture local talents in the field.”