Sri Bestari Private School in Kuala Lumpur has officially launched its Global Drone Arena, marking a significant expansion of its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education to include advanced drone technology. The initiative reflects the school’s ongoing efforts over the past eight years to integrate STEM, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics into its curriculum for students ranging from preschool to upper secondary levels.
The Global Drone Arena was established to provide a safe, controlled environment for drone education and sports, accommodating a variety of drone types and activities such as drone soccer competitions. This new facility supports both educational and recreational use, aiming to engage students in emerging technologies while fostering skills relevant to potential future careers.
Sri Bestari’s STEM-AI programmes have benefited from collaboration with Unesco’s International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre, the Academy of Engineering and Technology of the Developing World, and Aksadron Futurise Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s authorised body for Drone Sports. This partnership has also played a role in forming the Consortium of AI Education for the Global South, a network of organisations spanning multiple continents that facilitates knowledge exchange and collaboration in AI and related fields.
Principal Dr. Steven Baptist emphasized that the establishment of the drone arena underscores the school’s dedication to exposing students to cutting-edge technologies at an early stage. He noted that the facility may be the first of its kind within a school or educational institution in the country. Dr. Baptist highlighted the arena’s potential to ignite student interest in STEM and AI disciplines while nurturing talent in a rapidly evolving sector. “Drone technology is not only an exciting sport but could also open pathways to future careers in related fields,” he said.
As part of its launch activities, Sri Bestari is set to host the inaugural Drone Soccer Hero Competition in the coming week. The school intends to maintain an ongoing partnership with Aksadron Futurise to organise further competitions and events, aiming to bring together students, educators, drone enthusiasts, and the broader community. The initiative seeks to explore the expanding applications of drones across education, sports, technology, and professional development, contributing to national efforts to cultivate expertise in emerging technologies.