MDS creates AR/VR industry alliance with ATEED

MDS creates AR/VR industry alliance with ATEED

Auckland students who are creating digital design projects on two of the world’s hottest technology platforms now have an exciting opportunity to work alongside world-leading creative content companies.

This is thanks to a new agreement between Media Design School (MDS) and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), which will see MDS using ATEED’s globally connected AR/VR Garage in the Uptown Innovation Hub.

The partnership provides graduate and undergraduate students with valuable opportunities in augmented and virtual reality development, and will ensure Auckland’s creative community further contributes to New Zealand’s AR/VR research and development in what is expected to become a multi-billion worldwide sector.

MDS is the first tertiary provider in New Zealand to offer a qualification stream exclusively in AR/VR. Starting from February 2017, the Graduate Diploma in Creative Technologies (GDCT) AR/VR stream will give the school’s postgraduate students the opportunity to refine their respective crafts in the fields of VR or AR.

Jackie Young, MDS’ Director of Strategic Projects, says that this partnership will not only benefit MDS students and companies working in the AR/VR Garage, but Auckland’s creative community as a whole.

“Media Design School has always been a champion of emerging technologies and this agreement will ensure that Auckland is at the forefront of global development of new and innovative commercial products and content in the VR/AR space,” says Young.

“Media Design School is actively incorporating opportunities for students to develop concepts and prototypes for both VR and AR across all of its degree programmes.”

“The alliance with ATEED’s AR/VR Garage will give Media Design School students the unique opportunity to learn key business skills and create commercially viable products for AR/VR platforms as well as other emerging technologies,” says Young.

ATEED’S AR/VR Garage development facility opened in September, and is designed to help grow New Zealand’s global digital industry footprint. It is a globally unique collaboration between industry, tertiary education providers, and local and central government agencies.

Dean Butchers, ATEED General Manager Business Attraction & Investment, says a serious shortage of skilled graduates is limiting New Zealand’s AR/VR sector from reaching its potential: “MDS is at the cutting edge of tertiary training in this space and has an important role to play in delivering the skilled graduates the industry desperately needs.

“Our partnership with Media Design School will provide students with a superb pathway to link with world-leading companies at the AR/VR Garage, and potentially work on projects with some of world’s biggest studios through our international partnerships,” says Butchers.

The industry agreement between ATEED and Media Design School is effective immediately, with projects currently being briefed to MDS.

“Media Design School welcomes the opportunity to work closely with ATEED and to contribute further to Auckland’s dynamic creative industries,” concludes Young.

For more information about Media Design School, visit: www.mediadesignschool.com

For more information about the AR/VR Garage, visit:
http://www.arvrgarage.nz

ENDS

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