Alan Copeland “presses” a button to launch the Interactive Media Arts Program
Assiniboine Community College (ACC) is pleased to announce the amalgamation of two of the college’s successful diploma programs to meet the changing needs of industry. Web Design and Media Production will merge to form Interactive Media Arts (IMA), a new two-year program that will be offered as of September 2011. With the integration, the new program will also take on new focus, one that will lead the way in training students for careers in the technologically advanced media industry. Future IMA graduates will benefit in their ability to grasp and embrace multiple platforms to deliver content on a global level.
“We’ve done our research and the time is right,” said Alan Copeland, Vice-President Academic for Assiniboine Community College. “Industries are converging and adapting to technological advances and our graduates need to be trained and prepared for this. IMA students will complete this new program with a broader range of skills and knowledge than ever before. The entire program will allow our students to be fresh in delivering media the way this generation demands.”
Program Advisory Committees, industry and faculty have been in support of the enhanced framework for the new program. The Interactive Media Arts diploma program will have two specializations:
- Media Specialization (Multimedia Producer Major or Writer/Producer Major)
- Interactive Specialization (Design Major or Development Major).
“Capstone projects and a common first term will give IMA students solid grounding in the digital techniques, aesthetics and basic code that enliven the networked world,” said Barry Gooden, Dean, School of Trades and Technology. “By meshing the best of both programs we can make better use of current instructor expertise, strengthen our alignment with current industry trends and meet the needs of our current student population.”
“The media landscape in Canada and around the world has seen a dramatic shift in the past decade with more convergence of skills and a defined move to provide content via the Internet,” said Cam Clark, General Manager, Riding Mountain Broadcasting. “Employers in the media industry require a graduate with defined skill sets that transcend the traditional model of presentation, shooting and editing.”
The Interactive Media Arts program will also offer a certificate exit after one year of study.
Assiniboine Community College has been in operation for almost 50 years. In 2008-09 the college had over 2,600 students attending college on a full-time basis. The college offers 37 certificate and diploma programs, as well as apprenticeship programs. The main campus is located in Brandon and the Parkland Campus is in Dauphin. Winnipeg has been home to a permanent Practical Nursing site since 1998. Training sites in numerous rural communities extend program offerings throughout the province.
For more information, please contact:
Wanda Kurchaba or Kim Jones Communications & Marketing Tel: 204.725-8717 [email protected]
