ASU Offers Cutting-Edge Drone Technology Eight-Week Course Starting in March!
- Initial course begins March 21 - new classes scheduled every four weeks.
- You do not have to be enrolled at ASU to take the course.
- Free drone for the first 25 registrants. Register by March 11.
- To learn more visit, ASU at: https://www.
asudronecourse.com/ By: Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
If you yearn to fly in the 'Wild Blue Yonder' without ever having to leave the safety of the ground, then Alabama State University has a course designed just to get you started!
The course is open to anyone who has an interest in becoming a certified drone pilot or who has more than just a passing interest in operating one of the state-of-the-art unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Register now for ASU's college-level "Drone Technology Course," which will be taught within the University's Division of Continuing Education. The first cohort of students will begin classes on March 21 with new classes beginning every four weeks.
ASU has partnered with nationally acclaimed Draganfly Academy to offer an industry-leading course led by knowledgeable and UAV-licensed professionals who will prepare students to 'take off'' with the foundation for a rewarding career or enjoyable activity.WHY TAKE THE COURSE
ASU's director of its Division of Continuing Education, Mia O. Williams, believe that regardless of whether an interested person is a current college student, graduate, employed in any type of profession or trade, looking to expand their employability skills or just wants to operate drones for fun and adventure, this course is the right choice. There are no experience or educational prerequisites to enroll. You just need a desire to learn and to add a new and in-demand skill to your resume.
"The ASU Drone Technology Course is a hybrid course that requires participants to join a 90-minute face-to-face session once a week on Wednesdays. We anticipate offering both day and evening courses to meet the needs of the community, and it will be taught at ASU's Division of Continuing Education, which is located in Montgomery at our 32 Commerce Street downtown campus building," Williams added.WHAT WILL BE TAUGHT
Williams explained that all interested people who take the eight-week course, plus its included one-week orientation class, will start with an overview and an introduction to UAVs (drones) and continue upwards.
"The class will progress towards advanced topics, such as regulations, airspace operations, navigation, and much more. Upon completion, students will have the knowledge and resources to complete the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Part 107 exam, which is required to operate a UAV." Williams stated.ASU TEACHING THE COURSE TO PROMOTE COMMUNIVERSITY
Dr. Tanjula Petty, ASU's assistant Provost for Student Success and Special Initiatives, explains that the University is offering the course for both its current students’ educational enrichment and to promote the initiative first coined at ASU by University President Dr. Quinton T . Ross, Jr. as "CommUniversity," which means ASU giving back and engaging with the community.
"As an institution of higher learning and as a part of ASU's Focus 2030 Strategic Plan, the University wants to ensure the continued competitiveness of its academic portfolio, and the addition of its new Drone Technology Course is a great way to demonstrate our commitment," Petty said. "The Drone Technology Course provides educational opportunities to our students and the community at-large. Drones are a great tool to improve safety, and they are able to collect data, inspect an asset without having to put the operator in harm's way and a myriad of other tasks."DRAGANFLY OFFERS A GREAT EDUCATIONAL ASSET
Draganfly Academy is partnering with the University to help teach this cutting-edge drone course to a diverse group of prospective students.
"Draganfly is one of the oldest commercial drone companies in existence in the U.S. and it's known as pioneers in the drone technology field," said Justin Hannewyk, president of Candrone.
"We help our clients (such as ASU) reach their objectives through consulting and providing the right technology solutions...such as providing Brock Gooden, a valued team member of Draganfly, who will be teaching the upcoming class. He has his pilot’s license for flying manned aircraft and he was an army instructor. In addition to his credentials, it's always advantageous to learn from individuals that are actually working in the industry like Brock. The industry moves so quickly that staying relative and 'in-the-know' is important. Draganfly brings both long-term experience and is simultaneously at the forefront of new developments and services within the industry and that provides a major asset to the students who will take this course at ASU," said Hannewyk.SIGNUP DEADLINE FOR MARCH 21 COURSE IS SOON APPROACHING
ASU's Williams noted that the deadline to sign up for the March 21 Drone Technology Course at ASU is March 11.
"We hope that everyone interested in advancing into this new and promising field of study will avail themselves of this unique opportunity and join this class at Alabama State University's Division of Continuing Education where the sky's the limit with this new drone course," Williams quipped.
To learn more about the drone course: please click on: https://www.asudronecourse.com/
By phone: questions may be addressed to ASU's Division of Continuing Education at 334-229-4686.
News media contact: ASU's Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.###