Bournemouth University

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BU animated by 'digital' doctorates

26 August 2009

3D rendering of a blue and purple creature

BU has launched a new and unique Centre for Digital Entertainment (CDE) to foster the next generation of leaders in games, computer animation and visual effects.

The Centre is the result of collaboration between BU, the University of Bath, and a host of industry partners across the computer animation, games and visual effects industries.

Funding of more than £6.3 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) will support 50 doctoral studentships in digital entertainment starting in October 2009 and spread over eight years.

The programme lasts four years with 75% of each student’s time based in a leading company working on real projects with access to options from a suite of Master’s programmes from both universities.

The taught programme will be negotiated by the student, academic supervisors and the host company allowing bespoke tailoring to particular research needs. The students’ work will also form the basis of an Engineering or Professional Doctorate.

Doctoral studentships are fully-funded for their fees, a tax-free stipend and dedicated support for international conferences.

Dave Walsh, Managing Director of Frontier, one of the games industry's leading independent developers, said, “This is an excellent programme which will benefit our industry significantly. Currently there is a big need for high calibre technical people and the proposed Centre will address this shortage effectively.”

Andy Lomas, Head of Computer Graphics at Framestore CFC added, “I believe that in the UK we are missing out in the type of close connections between academic research and the animation and visual effects industry that happens in North America. The proposed Doctoral Centre could have very significant impact in addressing this gap.”

Prof Phil Willis, Head of the Computer Science Department at the University of Bath
said, “This high-level of EPSRC investment offers a wonderful opportunity to put leading-edge researchers into our national and world-class companies in the digital media sector. This is exactly the right time to put skills investment in place, ready for the economic recovery. The complementary skills of Bournemouth University and the University of Bath, and the demonstrated willingness of both universities to work closely with industrial partners, maximise the value we can deliver to our partner companies.”

For more details see information for applicants or information for companies please visit: http://www.digital-entertainment.org/ or email cde@cs.bath.ac.uk  

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