Taichung's First 'Drone Technology Education Center' Launched at Dajia Industrial High School, Partnering with Taipower on Key Talent Development Program

To realize the municipal vision of 'Prosperous Taichung, Technology Leading the Way' and guide students toward future-forward industries, Taichung Municipal Dajia Industrial Senior High School held a grand opening ceremony on the 29th for its 'Drone Technology Education Learning Center' and an industry-academia cooperation signing ceremony with Taiwan Power Company (Taipower). Taichung City Government Education Bureau Director Jiang Wei-Min and senior officials from Taipower attended, marking the official launch of this collaboration and a new milestone in drone technology talent cultivation.

Director Jiang emphasized that technological education is the core of urban competitiveness. Mayor Lu Hsiu-Yen places great importance on promoting foundational aerospace science education, aiming to inspire student creativity and cultivate technological literacy. The city government has invested NT$2.5 million to establish the 'Drone Technology Education Learning Center' at Dajia Industrial Senior High School, featuring a drone computer classroom, audiovisual classroom, and flight training area. The curriculum follows a three-stage progressive design, covering fundamental theory, practical operation, and project application. It includes distinctive courses such as 'Drone Soccer' and 'Obstacle Navigation,' enabling students to develop flight control, programming, problem-solving, and teamwork skills through hands-on learning.

Principal Yang Jen-Sheng of Dajia Industrial Senior High School highlighted the school’s strong expertise in mechatronics and robotic arm technologies across its Electrical & Information, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering clusters. The school has now formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Taiwan Power Company to jointly launch the 'Taipower Key Technology Talent Development Program Class' starting from the 116th academic year (2027). Under this program, Taipower will provide NT$6,000 in scholarships per semester to outstanding students. Those in the program who maintain excellent academic performance and successfully obtain the 'World Drone Championship (WDC) Level 1' certification will be eligible to take Taipower’s public recruitment exam upon graduation. Each year, approximately 10 top-performing students will be selected for direct employment in Taipower’s key technical departments. This 'graduation-to-employment' pathway offers substantial job security for local students and parents in the coastal region.

The Education Bureau stressed that 'learning by doing' has become the key to future innovation education, with the maker spirit of 'if you can think it, you can build it' redefining learning methodologies. To prepare for a technology-driven society, the bureau has already established eight Maker Education Technology Centers at Fuchun Elementary, Dajia Junior High, Lixin Junior High, Beixin Junior High, Tanxiu Junior High, Shalu Junior High, Chenggong Junior High, and Xiyuan High School, evenly distributed across the mountain, coastal, Tun, and central districts. The bureau will continue to invest resources to build a more comprehensive technology education system in Taichung City.