The Bilbao Chamber of Commerce and DigiPen Institute of Technology (USA) today launched DigiPen Institute of Technology Europe - Bilbao, a school dedicated to growing innovation in the video game and animation industries.
Press Release from DigiPen Institute of Technology
Redmond, WA - May 10, 2010 - The Bilbao Chamber of Commerce and DigiPen Institute of Technology (USA) today launched DigiPen Institute of Technology Europe - Bilbao, a school dedicated to growing innovation in the video game and animation industries. DigiPen Institute of Technology was the first school in the world to offer a Bachelor?s degree in game education, and it is committed providing an exemplary education and furthering research in digital media and interactive computer technologies. Through the work of its students, faculty and staff, DigiPen strives to empower and inspire the industry around the globe. Currently, DigiPen has a campus in Redmond, WA, USA and another in Singapore. The campus in Bilbao, Spain will be the first DigiPen campus to open in Europe and is set to open its doors in September 2010.
According to Claude Comair, founder and CEO of DigiPen, "The opening of our campus in Spain is yet another proof point of how fast this industry is growing and how important it is to provide a workforce that can drive forward innovation and creativity in the computer technologies field. It has been a pleasure working with the Bilbao Chamber of Commerce on this exciting endeavour. For years, we have seen DigiPen's graduates succeed and earn key positions in the industry throughout the United States, and now we look forward to seeing success stories and pioneers come out of DigiPen's European campus."
DigiPen Institute of Technology Europe - Bilbao will offer two university degrees: Bachelor of Science in Real Time Interactive Simulation and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Production Animation. Its purpose is to promote and develop the advancing video game and digital media sectors in Spain and throughout Europe.
It is hoped that the launch of DigiPen in Europe will foster connections and relationships with industry-leading multinationals, which in turn, will encourage innovation, enterprise, as well as research and development, in Bilbao, the Basque Country, and surrounding areas. This growth in the video game, digital imaging and communication industries, will be propelled by a well-educated and qualified workforce, and will help develop Bilbao into a European leader of the digital simulation industry.
DigiPen has a long history with the game, animation, and software industries. In addition to its graduates working at many digital interactive media companies across the USA, many of DigiPen's faculty members and executives have worked at or continue to work with world-renowned companies, such as Microsoft, Nintendo, Disney, LucasArts, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Boeing, Renault F1 Racing, among many others. The faculty possess both academic knowledge and industry experience, which allows them to teach the students a curriculum that provides a solid academic foundation and also emphasizes real-life project-based learning. The rigorous curriculum meets and often surpasses industry standards and demands, making DigiPen graduates attractive to companies that require their workforce to have comprehensive knowledge and expertise in the field. In fact, most of DigiPen's students have a job waiting for them once they graduate. It is no wonder that DigiPen Institute of Technology has long been the top choice for students pursuing a career in the digital interactive media industries.
About DigiPen Institute of TechnologyDigiPen Corporation was established in 1988 in Vancouver, B.C., Canada as a computer simulation and animation company. In 1996, DigiPen Institute of Technology moved to Redmond, Washington where it has been a leading educational institution offering various Bachelor's of Science degrees, Bachelor's of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees, and Master's of Computer Science degree. DigiPen opened a new campus in Singapore in 2008 at the invitation of the Singaporean government, and is currently expanding in Spain and Korea. DigiPen also offers numerous K-12 educational programs throughout the United States and abroad. For more information about our college, K-12 initiatives, and to sample student work, please visit www.digipen.edu.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
