UNICEF moved forward with the graduation,
and Friedman and local project
manager Brian Kamamia joined Malawian
governmental and educational partners in
awarding certificates in drone technology
to the students. Each student also received
an international drone operator certificate
as well as an “authority to fly” in Malawi,
equivalent to a remote pilot license, until
the government officially adopts its drone
regulations.
About 50 people attended the ceremony.
Friedman noted, “We didn’t shake hands.
Instead of sitting in rows, all tables were
circular to keep people further apart.”
Friedman was supposed to remain in Malawi
after the graduation to prepare for new
cohorts, scheduled to begin in mid-April
and June. She left Malawi after the graduation
as a result of the pandemic, but not
before helping the team establish incubator
space for companies and students to collaborate
on innovative uses of drones, such
as flood mapping and disaster preparation.
Five part-time employees are preparing for
the next class of students and providing
support for the incubator and flight operations.
Future cohorts are tentatively scheduled to
begin in late summer.
According to Kevin Kochersberger, associate
professor of mechanical engineering
who leads the project, “It is disappointing
that we cannot roll into the next class to
meet a goal of 98 graduates by the end of
2020, but UNICEF remains committed to
the project, and I’m hopeful we will meet
the targets by mid-2021.”
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