From Dissertation to Innovation: Akbar Marwan’s Inspiring Story to Advance Indonesia’s Drone Industry.

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 13:48 | Drone | Editorial INTI

Jakarta, INTI - Dr. Akbar Marwan, or more commonly known as Pak Akbar, is the chairman of the Pilot Drone Indonesia Association (APDI). A passionate yet humble individual, Pak Akbar has led the association from its inception, helping it become a prominent force in advancing Indonesia’s drone industry across various sectors.Through his strong commitment and leadership, APDI has achieved significant milestones, including supporting local drone manufacturers in product development, advocating for government regulations, creating training and certification standards for drone pilots, and creating collaboration between the education sector and the industry to produce skilled, drone-ready professionals.

In an exclusive interview conducted directly by the INTI Media team with him on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, he shared his inspiring story of starting his journey into the drone industry.

“It all started when I chose drone as the topic of my doctoral dissertation at Gunadharma University,” he began.

“I saw the immense potential of drones, particularly in aiding disaster-stricken areas where infrastructure is destroyed and communication between the victims and rescuers become really challenging. From this, I viewed drone as a big potential to address the issues,” he continued.

Discovering the goldmine of potential in drones, after his successful dissertation, Pak Akbar decided to dive deeper into the drone industry. He believed that Indonesia held significant potential, and the adoption of drones would not only help various sectors operate more efficiently but also boost the country’s economic conditions.

Pak Akbar, along with other drone enthusiasts, established APDI in 2014 with the goal of building a local drone industry ecosystem in Indonesia. He mentioned that at that time, there was no association that could assist the government in advancing this industry.

A year after the establishment of APDI, the development of the industry began to show, one of which was the issuance of Ministry Regulation (PM) 90 of 2015, where the government made efforts to develop the drone industry through socialization and education to the public.

Despite the association's success, its journey has been filled with challenges and ups and downs. One of the key obstacles has been the readiness of Indonesia's human resources.

"Technology evolves rapidly, and we must be prepared. It can present a tremendous opportunity or become a setback. If we're not ready, foreign companies will take the lead. We need to be proactive," he explained.

"Today, drones are no longer limited to videography and photography; they’ve come a long way. Drones are now used across various sectors, including agriculture, mining, government, and more, all aimed at making operations more efficient."

Pak Anwar shared that drones are now equipped with advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other cutting-edge tools, which further expand their capabilities.

This aligns with the growing trend in the drone market, where it’s predicted that drones will play a significant role in digital transformation. It's expected that 104 companies, primarily MSMEs, will integrate drones into their operations: 52% as service providers, 27% as manufacturers, and 15% as resellers.

Pak Akbar further emphasized that APDI's mission is to develop skilled individuals who not only have the technical ability to operate drones but also the foresight to anticipate industry growth. With the sector expected to expand quickly in the coming years, preparation is key. By being proactive now, Indonesia can effectively harness the full potential of this technology when it arrives.

Pak Akbar’s journey is an inspiring example of someone who recognizes potential and seizes opportunities. What began as an idea in his doctoral dissertation has grown into a significant contribution to Indonesia’s development. A true leader, he exemplifies how vision and reflection can turn challenges into meaningful opportunities for the greater good.