This week, staff within the Knowledge Management and Communications (KMC) unit at Ifakara Health Institute took part in drone operation training at Ifakara Training Center in Kingani, Bagamoyo from February 27 to March 3, 2023.

The extensive training focused on giving the KMC team the required skills for understanding and operating drones for photography and videography – enabling the team to learn and adopt the fast-moving changes in photography and videography technology.

The KMC team involved in the training included Mr. Bilal Aziz, the Senior Communication Officer, Ms. Silma Swaibu, the Communication Officer, Mr. Joseph Madata, the Communications Assistant (Photography and Videography).

In his opening remarks on the first day of the training, Dr. Kafuruki Shubis, Head of Ifakara Training Center, commended the KMC team for taking the initiative to learn about the drone technology and encouraged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to support Ifakara Health Institute in all communication aspects. 

"The KMC unit is a very broad and vital part of the Instiute which the Ifakara relies on largely when it comes to communication with various stakeholders. Therefore, the purpose of this training is for your to not only acquire a new skll in another area but also improve your existing ones," said Dr. Shubis. 

Throughout the week, the team received both theory and practical training in drone operations from professional instructors from Kwetu Studios led by Moiz Hussein, the Chief Instructor and licensed drone operator. Other instructors accompanying Mr. Hussein included Msafiri Shabani and Freddy Feruzi – also drone operators with over 5 years of experience.

Some of the topics the KMC team had the opportunity to learn about included drones’ history; types of drones; drone software and hardware, drone setting for photography and videography, drone safety; drones take off, maneuvering, and landing; and certification and registration of drones as per the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) regulations.