Eight Curtin Malaysia students win prestigious Drone Academy Asia scholarships

Miri, Sarawak – 18 August 2025 – Eight top-performing students from Curtin University Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science have secured coveted scholarships from Drone Academy Asia (DAA), giving them the opportunity to undergo advanced drone pilot training and gain industry-recognised certification in a rapidly expanding technology sector.

The scholarship recipients – Crystal Yap Yin, Angellica Hui Xin Xuan, Kunaal Haridas, Lai Yong Jun, Jacky Darwin Chandra Uvat Albert, Allan Kong Anak Giraw, and Awangku Zuhairi Awangku Feazirroeddin – each received full sponsorship worth RM6,500 to complete the Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency Basic (RCOC-B) programme, an intensive five-day training held from 30 June to 4 July 2025.

Training alongside industry professionals, the students mastered regulatory compliance, safety procedures, and technical skills required for professional drone operations, all passing their final examination with flying colours.

The certification positions them for exciting careers in industries where drone applications are revolutionising work, including agriculture, logistics, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure inspection.

Lim Guang Ming, General Manager of DAA, personally presented the awards, noting that it marked the second consecutive year of DAA scholarships for Curtin Malaysia students. “We are committed to equipping the next generation of leaders with the certified skills to harness drone technology safely, effectively, and within Malaysia’s aviation regulatory framework,” he said.

Several recipients are also founding members of Curtin Malaysia’s newly established Drone Club, led by advisor Foad Motalebi, a lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “The RCOC-B certification not only boosts our students’ technical expertise, but also promotes research, innovation, and the safe use of drones in compliance with regulations,” Foad said.

Ir. Dr. Lim Chye Ing, Associate Dean for External Engagement of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, added, “These scholarships demonstrate how industry partnerships bridge classroom learning with real-world innovation. Our students are now better positioned to lead Malaysia’s drone industry into the future.”

As drones continue to reshape industries worldwide, the collaboration between Curtin Malaysia and DAA stands as a model for how academia and industry can work hand-in-hand to prepare graduates for the demands and opportunities of the technology-driven future.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

(From right) Foad Motalebi, Ir. Dr. Lim Chye Ing, and scholarship recipients in a group photo with DAA General Manager Lim Guang Ming (left) and DAA team members.