Drone Day creates networking platform

4 November 2024

KOTA KINABALU: Futurise Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) and the National Academy of Drone Sports Excellence (AKSADRON), participated in the Sabah Drone Open Day 2024, held on October 29 and 30 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here.

This event highlighted the latest advancements in drone technology and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), showcasing their diverse applications across various sectors, including agriculture and security.

The Sabah Drone Open Day served as a comprehensive networking platform for stakeholders within Sabah's burgeoning drone ecosystem. This initiative aligns with the state's Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) Blueprint 2.0, aimed at enhancing competitiveness, fostering economic growth, and equipping Sabah's workforce with essential skills in drone technology.

Over the two-day event, attendees engaged in informative forum sessions, live drone demonstrations, and hands-on training led by industry experts.

A standout feature of the event was the "Sky Battle" Mini Drone Soccer Tournament, which highlighted the emerging sport of drone soccer in Malaysia.

This tournament garnered significant interest, particularly among youth and educational institutions, with participation from eight Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and 40 students.

SEDIA sponsored the Drone Cage and tournament prizes, while additional demonstrations, including drone racing simulators, offered an exciting glimpse into the future of drone sports technology.

Overall, the Sabah Drone Open Day 2024 successfully showcased the potential of drones and their role in shaping the future of various industries in Sabah.

"The Sabah Drone Open Day 2024 represents a meaningful step towards positioning Sabah as a hub for innovation and technological advancement in the region," said Datuk Seri Panglima Hashim Pajian, Chief Executive of the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA).

"By collaborating with Futurise, we are creating new opportunities for local talent and industries to explore and adopt drone technology, ultimately supporting Sabah's economic development and aligning with our vision for a sustainable, competitive future."

Attendees included a diverse group of participants from various institutions of higher learning, government agencies, and industry stakeholders, both locally and nationally.

Students and faculty from universities across Malaysia joined representatives from government agencies and private sector companies to explore the potential of drone technology within their fields.

This wide-ranging participation underscored the event's role in bridging knowledge, fostering collaboration, and catalysing growth within the drone ecosystem.

Officiated by Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, the event also included a Letter of Interest (LOI) exchange ceremony between Futurise and SEDIA, representing a significant commitment to fostering innovation and growth within Sabah's drone technology landscape.

"This event marks a significant milestone as the first Futurise initiative in East Malaysia, emphasising our commitment to advancing technology and community engagement," said Rosihan Zain Baharudin, CEO of Futurise.

"Sabah Drone Open Day catalyzes future opportunities in drone technology and sports across Malaysia."

With leadership from AKSADRON and Futurise, the Sabah Drone Open Day 2024 successfully fostered knowledge sharing, sparked public interest, and inspired the next generation of drone technology professionals.

I'mFuturise is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cyberview Sdn Bhd under the Ministry of Finance. It is mandated by the Government of Malaysia to manage the National Regulatory Sandbox, providing public policy advisory and acting as a key enabler of regulatory solutions to expedite innovation and future-proof Malaysia's economy.