Collaboration creates a new pathway for students to develop STEM, technology and future-ready skills through hands-on drone learning and competitive sports
CYBERJAYA, Malaysia, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sri Bestari Private School officially launched the Global Drone Arena, a purpose-built facility for drone soccer and obstacle-based flight activities. Developed in collaboration with Futurise through its National Academy for Drone Sports Excellence (AKSADRON) programme, the arena provides students with a dedicated platform for structured training and hands-on learning, while developing technical, problem-solving and future-ready skills through drone technology and competitive drone sports.
The launch was officiated by Azliza Mohd Sarif, Head Assistant Director of the Private Education Unit, School Management Sector, Selangor State Education Department, with a keynote address delivered by Azrita Abdul Kadir, Head of Ventures and Alliances of Futurise.
The Global Drone Arena is a dedicated, purpose-built facility located within Sri Bestari Private School's campus, featuring a caged environment and specialised obstacles for drone soccer and skills-based challenges. As the training ground for the school's Drone Hero Programme, the arena provides students with hands-on opportunities to develop their technical capabilities, teamwork, problem-solving and competitive skills, while gaining early exposure to drone technology and its wider applications.
The initiative grew from a shared vision between Futurise and Sri Bestari Private School to inspire the next generation of technology talent through hands-on learning and early exposure to emerging technologies, leading to the establishment of the Drone Hero Programme as a platform for hands-on learning in drone technology, STEM and emerging technologies. Delivered through Futurise's AKSADRON programme, the Drone Hero Program commenced in June 2026, introducing students to the fundamentals of drone soccer through a series of structured workshops. Over the following months, students progressively developed their technical skills, teamwork, problem-solving abilities and confidence, culminating in the launch of the Global Drone Arena and their first Internal Drone Soccer Competition on 6 August 2026.
This initiative reinforces Futurise's role in advancing technology-driven talent development through AKSADRON, which is tasked by the Government to support the development of Malaysia's drone sports ecosystem, guided by strategic direction outlined in the National Drone Sports Strategic Roadmap (NADSAR). Based in Cyberjaya, AKSADRON operates Malaysia's first dedicated drone sports training hub, providing a platform that connects students, athletes, enthusiasts and industry players through structured drone sports and technology programmes. The Global Drone Arena at Sri Bestari extends this ecosystem into the school environment, creating an early pathway for students to develop practical technology skills and progress from classroom exposure to structured training and competitive opportunities.
"At Futurise, we believe that building the next generation of technology talent starts by giving young people meaningful, hands-on exposure to emerging technologies. Through AKSADRON, drone sports provide an exciting and accessible entry point for students to develop technical skills, problem-solving abilities, teamwork and confidence. Our collaboration with Sri Bestari marks the first structured Drone Hero Programme with a private school and represents an important step in bringing this learning experience directly into the school environment. With more than 10,000 participants reached, over 2,000 students trained and more than 20 stakeholder organisations engaged to date through AKSADRON, we are encouraged by the growing interest among young people. We hope this partnership will inspire more schools to embrace drone technology as a platform for learning and talent development, creating pathways for students to transform their interest into skills, performance and, ultimately, opportunities within the wider technology ecosystem," said Azrita Abdul Kadir, Head of Ventures and Alliances at Futurise.
Meanwhile, Dr. Steven Baptist, Principal of Sri Bestari Private School, said, "Introducing drone technology to our students is a natural progression of the school's homegrown STEM and AI programme, which we launched some eight years ago. We strongly believe in learning by doing, and our students have gained valuable exposure through robotics competitions, innovation and science challenges. The introduction of drone sports, in collaboration with Futurise through AKSADRON programme, adds another exciting dimension to this learning journey. We are deeply grateful to Futurise for its invaluable support in making this initiative possible."
For Sri Bestari Private School, where STEM is a key focus across both primary and secondary education, the Global Drone Arena represents more than a new facility. By combining elements of coding, physics, engineering, problem-solving and teamwork, drone sports provide students with an engaging and practical platform to apply STEM knowledge beyond the classroom.
With the Drone Hero Programme underway and students already progressing from structured training to competition, the collaboration demonstrates how schools, supported by industry and ecosystem partners such as Futurise, can create meaningful pathways from early technology exposure to skills development and future opportunities. Through initiatives such as this, Futurise aims to inspire and nurture the next generation of Malaysian technology talent, equipping young people with the skills, confidence and curiosity to participate in an increasingly technology-driven future.
About Futurise
Futurise is a company 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.
About Sri Bestari Private School
Sri Bestari Private School is an internationally recognised private school located in Kuala Lumpur that nurtures and supports its learners for them to achieve academic success and become globally responsible citizens. We accomplish this by providing an environment that is innovative and progressive that is grounded in trust, compassion and respect.
Follow Sri Bestari Private School social media for updates:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/sribestariinternational/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sribestariinternational
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sri-bestari-international-school/
Follow Futurise & AKSADRON social media for updates:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/futurisemy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurisemy ; https://www.instagram.com/aksadron/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aksadron
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/futurise/
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Futurise and Sri Bestari Private School Launch Global Drone Arena to Inspire the Next Generation of Tech Talent
HONG KONG, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Manulife Hong Kong today announced that it has been selected to participate in the First Cohort of the GenA.I. Sandbox++ ("GenA.I. Sandbox++"), a cross-sector initiative led by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority ("HKMA"), the Securities and Futures Commission ("SFC"), the Insurance Authority ("IA") and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority ("MPFA") as well as the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited ("Cyberport") to promote the responsible adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence ("GenAI") across the financial services sector. Two use cases from Manulife Hong Kong have been admitted to the programme, spanning the insurance and Mandatory Provident Fund ("MPF") sectors.
As one of only five insurers selected to join the GenA.I. Sandbox++, Manulife Hong Kong's participation further reinforces its long-standing commitment to the responsible adoption of AI and its strategic priority to become an AI-powered organization. The selection adds to the company's recent inclusion as a Core Participating Insurer in the IA's AI Cohort Programme, while underscoring Manulife's growing role in advancing industry-wide collaboration and supporting Hong Kong's development as a regional hub for AI innovation.
On the insurance side, Manulife Hong Kong's BetterClaims AI was selected to explore how GenAI can enhance the customer claims experience by helping advisors provide timely answers to medical and critical illness claims enquiries with greater accuracy and confidence. Designed as an AI-powered claims knowledge assistant built on Manulife's approved policy content, the solution gives advisors timely, structured and clearly referenced access to relevant coverage information, policy definitions and claims guidelines at the point of customer engagement – all linked to authoritative source materials – enabling them to respond with greater accuracy and confidence.
Claims assessments and decisions remain firmly with qualified claims professionals, reflecting Manulife's commitment to responsible AI adoption underpinned by strong governance, transparency and human oversight. This helps customers receive clearer guidance, faster responses and more consistent support – even before a claim is filed – helping them better understand their coverage and navigate the claims process at some of life's most challenging moments.
"At Manulife, we believe AI should make insurance easier by empowering our people to serve customers better," said Wilton Kee, Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau. "BetterClaims AI helps our advisors give customers clearer, more consistent answers when it matters most, while keeping human expertise, accountability and robust governance firmly at the centre. We are pleased to work with the local regulators and our technology partners to explore how GenAI can raise professional standards, elevate the customer experience and deliver benefits that extend across the wider industry."
On the retirement side, Manulife Hong Kong is proud to collaborate with Cyberport to create a GenAI-Assisted Red-Flag Tool for Intermediary Fraud Risk Review. This initiative demonstrates our commitment to leveraging innovation responsibly to enhance fraud risk oversight and drive smarter, more efficient review processes. Designed with strong governance, transparency and human oversight at its core, the solution helps investigators identify potential risk patterns associated with certain MPF-related transactions while putting members' interests first and supporting a safer MPF investment experience. The solution leverages advanced AI, document intelligence and analytics capabilities to support the identification and monitoring of intermediary-related fraud risks. Importantly, it serves as a decision-support tool only and does not automate investigations or enforcement actions.
"As life expectancies increase and retirement needs evolve, we see it as our responsibility to help our customers plan and manage their financial future with greater confidence," said Jeanie Ho, Head of Hong Kong and Macau Retirement, Manulife. "We are exploring how AI can support the earlier identification of risk signals and enable more informed reviews, while keeping human judgement and accountability at the centre of every decision. We look forward to sharing our learnings through GenA.I. Sandbox++ and contributing to safer outcomes for MPF scheme members."
The GenA.I. Sandbox++ provides participating institutions with a controlled, risk-managed environment to test and pilot innovative AI use cases. As part of the programme, participants receive access to advanced computing resources through Cyberport's AI Supercomputing Centre, supporting experimentation and development while promoting responsible AI deployment across the financial sector. The initiative also encourages collaboration between financial institutions, technology providers and regulators to foster innovation and strengthen Hong Kong's fintech ecosystem.
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About Manulife Hong Kong and Macau
Manulife Hong Kong has been a trusted name for more than 125 years, while we have served the Macau market for three decades. Since our operations began in Asia in 1897, we have grown into one of the top-tier providers of financial services, offering a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to over 2.6 million customers in Hong Kong and Macau. We are committed to helping make decisions easier and lives better for our customers.
Manulife Hong Kong and Macau, through Manulife International Holdings Limited, owns Manulife (International) Limited, Manulife Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited, and Manulife Provident Funds Trust Company Limited. These entities are all subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation.
About Manulife Wealth & Asset Management
As part of Manulife Financial Corporation, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management's mission is to make decisions easier and lives better by helping people invest confidently to pursue a more secure financial future. Our strength comes from the diversity of our global asset management expertise and distribution capabilities. Our global investment teams span equities, fixed income, alternative credit, private markets, and multi-asset solutions. We provide investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to millions of individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the heart of our approach are three cultural pillars: Partner for Progress, Trust through Transparency, and Intellectual Curiosity. These values shape how we build long term relationships, develop differentiated investment strategies, and empower advisors and clients to seek meaningful financial outcomes. Whether through cutting-edge technology, AI innovation, personalized advice, or sustainable stewardship, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management is a trusted partner helping clients navigate complexity and invest with confidence. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulifeim.com.
About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.
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Manulife Selected for Regulators' First Cohort of GenA.I. Sandbox++ to Advance Customer Experience, Anti-Fraud and Risk Management
