Intl. students explore Zhifei Global Drone Training Academy

International students visiting Shenzhen got a firsthand look at how Longhua District is helping cultivate talent for the city’s emerging low-altitude economy during a visit to a drone training academy on June 30.

The visit to Zhifei Global Drone Training Academy, a core practical training base for Longhua’s low-altitude economy talent development, was part of a “Tech-Tour” innovation and cultural exchange program organized by the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). The participants also visited several of Shenzhen's leading research institutes and technology companies to gain a broader understanding of the city's innovation ecosystem.

International students learn about drone technology during a visit to Zhifei Global Drone Training Academy in Longhua District on June 30. Photo by Cai Weize

At the academy, the international students observed a complete drone training program, learned about pilot certification courses, and took part in hands-on flight exercises.

Academy representatives introduced a range of AI-powered drone applications designed for real-world operations. Equipped with intelligent navigation and obstacle-avoidance capabilities, the drones can perform tasks in challenging environments such as forests and power transmission corridors, supporting applications including wildfire prevention, power line inspection and other high-risk operations. The academy also demonstrated a low-altitude scheduling platform that coordinates multiple drones for urban patrols and security operations, along with AI-powered image analysis technology used in geological disaster rescue and surveying.

The students also had an opportunity to fly drones under the guidance of instructors and learn about the academy’s standardized training programs.

“I was surprised by how many applications drones have,” said a participant from Nigeria. “China’s pace of technological development is impressive, and I feel fortunate to have taken part in this visit.”

According to the academy, it promotes an international approach to industry-education integration by opening its training facilities and standardized drone pilot courses to young people from around the world.

Academy representatives said overseas participants can play an important role in connecting Shenzhen’s mature drone technologies with international markets by adapting proven applications to local needs while contributing new ideas for future technological development.