ISLAMABAD: The National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) successfully hosted Drone Techx NUST, Pakistan’s first private-sector drone technology expo and seminar, showcasing the nation’s rapidly growing drone innovation ecosystem.
The two-day event (December 3-4) brought together young innovators, industry leaders, and drone technology enthusiasts, attracting over 100 registrations from students, industry professionals, and academia, with a total footfall exceeding 1,000 visitors.
The first day was dedicated to Aerothon, Pakistan’s premier drone innovation competition, featuring student teams, universities, and independent hobbyists, according to a NUST statement.
NUST Pro-Rector Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (RIC), Dr. Rizwan Riaz, said the scale of participation reflected the talent, ambition, and excitement driving the country’s drone industry.
He added that the event provided an ideal platform for showcasing innovations, testing prototypes, and building strategic connections within the ecosystem.
The Drone Ecosystem Module fostered collaboration between students and professionals, enabling exploration of commercial applications for emerging drone technologies. Meanwhile, the Drone Racing Module combined competition with technical expertise, helping build a skilled pipeline of drone operators and engineers while promoting sport-driven innovation.
The second day featured a Seminar and Expo on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Counter-UAS technologies, covering critical topics such as integrating drones into national airspace, addressing emerging threats to critical infrastructure, and shaping regulatory frameworks.
The expo showcased the latest hardware and software solutions, including commercial drones, swarm technologies, and advanced detection, tracking, and neutralisation systems.
Prominent attendees included representatives from the armed forces, government ministries, the aerospace and telecom industries, and academia, all engaging in discussions around policy, innovation, and collaboration.
Drone Techx NUST underscored Pakistan’s growing capabilities in unmanned aerial systems and highlighted the role of collaboration in accelerating technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry growth in the country.
