Drone Challenge Excites Young Students At Terengganu PMR 2025

KUALA TERENGGANU, July 11 (Bernama) -- Flying a drone may be out of reach for many children, but at the MADANI Rakyat programme (PMR) 2025 in Terengganu, they were given a chance to take the controls for the first time in the Drone JuniorSkills competition.

Despite having no prior experience in flying drones, Ammar Rayyan Nur Fahrurozi, 12, from SK Sultan Sulaiman 1, Kuala Terengganu, was thrilled to participate in the competition as he dreams of becoming a professional drone pilot one day.

Ammar Rayyan said usually, he only participated in drone-related quizzes at school, but this was his first time handling the real equipment.

“I want to learn how to capture videos with drones because I’ve seen people shoot beautiful, cinematic footage while on holiday.

“Flying a drone is quite challenging. It’s hard to control the speed and balance when it turns. Still, with practice, I think I can be good at it,” he said when met by Bernama at the PMR venue in Pasar Payang today.

Another participant, Wan Azza Nathifa Wan Nor Azam, 11, from SK Padang Hiliran, Kuala Terengganu, said the competition was a golden opportunity, even though she felt nervous when first given the task.

“The organiser said I had to complete several obstacles in under two minutes. At first, it seemed impossible, but once I tried it, it was actually fun,” she said.

Wan Azza Nathifa said her interest in drones began about a year ago when her father bought one for the family to play with at home.

“I’ve always liked high-tech stuff. At school, I regularly take part in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes, and I think that’s what sparked my strong interest in drones,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Automotive and Drone Technology Unit at the Centre for Instructor and Advanced Skill Training (CIAST) Zuraidy Shamsudin said, the competition was organised to provide early exposure to students on drone technology and help them understand the basics before exploring more advanced applications.

“In Malaysia, drone technology will be widely used across various sectors, including mechanical and electrical engineering, oil and gas, as well as for surveying, mapping, and building maintenance.

“This means flying drones will become a value-added skill in many careers, which is why we must introduce the technology as early as possible to primary and secondary school students,” he said.

Organised in collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council (TVET) and the Department of Skills Development (JPK), the competition offers cash prizes ranging from RM100 to RM300 for winners in the primary school, secondary school, and public categories.

-- BERNAMA