Inspiring the next generation of technical talent

Recently, around forty students from Hasp O Centrum visited DronePort together with their teachers. During the visit, they were introduced to the rapidly evolving world of drones, autonomous mobility and innovative aviation, and gained a unique look behind the scenes of the companies and technologies active on the campus.

“At DronePort, we strongly believe in the power of connecting education and industry,” says Seppe Oyen, Community Manager at DronePort. “The technologies being developed on our campus today will have a major impact on society tomorrow. By introducing young people to these innovations at an early stage, we want to inspire them, spark their curiosity and show them the opportunities that exist in sectors such as drones, automation and innovative aviation. At the same time, many companies in our ecosystem are looking for young technical talent. That is exactly why this collaboration can become a strong breeding ground to bring young people, education and innovative companies closer together.”

Connecting classroom learning with real world innovation

The collaboration is built on a shared ambition: preparing young people for further studies, a changing labour market and a society in which technology plays an increasingly important role. By bringing students and teachers into direct contact with current technological developments, Hasp O Centrum and DronePort want to further strengthen their interest in science, technology and innovation.

“For Hasp O Centrum, it is important that students not only learn in the classroom, but also get a real sense of what is happening in the professional field,” says Ann Ruppol, Director of Educational Policy. “An environment like DronePort makes technology tangible and concrete. It helps young people better understand where their talents and interests can lead, and what opportunities may be waiting for them in the future.”

Exploring a hands on collaboration

Over the coming months, both partners will explore how the collaboration can take shape in practice. Possible initiatives include knowledge exchange, company visits, project work, guest lectures and internship opportunities.

One concrete path currently being investigated is how building a drone from A to Z could be integrated into the curriculum. This would allow students to work in teams on design, technology, electronics, software, safety and real life applications. By the end of the school year, this could result in a tangible project that students can proudly present.

Involving companies from the DronePort ecosystem

Innovative companies from the DronePort ecosystem will also be involved in the process. This will allow students to discover the needs, applications and opportunities within the sector, while companies get the chance to inspire and engage young talent at an early stage.

The first steps have already been taken. Both students and teachers have shown strong interest in further developing the initiative. Hasp O Centrum and DronePort see this as a valuable starting point for a sustainable collaboration that can continue to grow in the years ahead.