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Capilano University announces Memorandum of Understanding to build a Creative Tech Community

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Tag(s): Media

NORTH VANCOUVER B.C. – Capilano University is pleased to announce it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AMPD Technologies, Greenstone Initiatives and Hynes Developments to build a Creative Tech Community (CTC) intended to be one of Canada's largest on-campus collaborations between education and industry. The collaboration is a joint effort to develop future generations of digital storytellers in technology-related areas such as animation, film, games, visual effects and emerging platforms.

The vision of the CTC is to be an on-campus centre for students, faculty and B.C.'s leading industry professionals where they can collaborate on specialized work-integrated learning, research and intellectual property (IP) development. The partners are currently exploring technology-enabled spaces (based around a high-performance data centre, next generation rendering and emerging platforms) for shared use.

"The CTC will spur creators to be adventurous and pursue bold ideas outside of the normal limits of their day-to-day business," says James Hursthouse, principal of Greenstone Initiatives.

Building upon CapU's success in motion picture arts, performing arts and design, the project will facilitate the development of new modular digital media programs through which students, faculty and professionals will work with industry to develop technology and innovations for businesses and social enterprises.

"This is the future of education. Integrating industry and educational partners affords many unique benefits," says Paul Dangerfield, president of Capilano University. "With support from our local business community we are excited to begin this chapter at CapU."

The CTC is looking for businesses and organizations interested in expanding the digital workforce, growing Indigenous digital storytelling and building capacity for women in technology leadership. Potential partners are encouraged to contact creativetechcommunity@capilanou.ca for more information.

About Capilano University
Capilano University is a teaching-focused university based in North Vancouver, with programming serving the Sunshine Coast and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. The University enrols more than 10,000 students each year and offers 95 programs, including bachelor's degrees in areas as diverse as film, jazz, early childhood education and tourism management. Capilano University is named after Chief Joe Capilano, an important leader of the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) Nation of the Coast Salish people. Our campuses are located on the territories of the Lil'wat, Musqueam, Sechelt (shíshálh) Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

For more information, or to schedule interviews, please contact:

Lara Chibuk, Senior Communications Officer
Capilano University
t: 604 986 1911 x 3011
e: mediarelations@capilanou.ca
capilanou.ca

About AMPD Technologies
The team at AMPD Technologies has been providing technology and infrastructure solutions to leading companies in the games, visual effects and animation sector for nearly twenty years. As a founding member of Canada's Digital Technology Supercluster, AMPD is applying its expertise in high-performance computing, intensive data management, processing, and visualization to benefit a broader cross-section of industry partners and projects.

For more information contact info@ampdtech.com

About Greenstone Initiatives
Greenstone Initiatives was founded in September 2016 by James Hursthouse, a twenty-year veteran of the global games, digital media and technology sectors. Greenstone offers strategic and business development services to companies and organizations in the digital content and technology sectors. Between 2016 and 2018, James was executive director of DigiBC — the Interactive and Digital Media Industry Association of BC, where he now continues to serve on the board of directors, helping to drive initiatives to the benefit of the digital media industry and broader population of British Columbia.

For more information, please see gsii.ca

About Hynes Developments
Hynes Developments is a nimble, innovative, research-oriented development company focused on creating environments that are responsive to the needs of people and communities. We bring together the finest minds from a wide range of disciplines to collaborate both on project design and fundamental research. Hynes understands how architecture, technology and urban form influence the lives and well being of the people they serve, with a focus on creating developments that are socially, environmentally and economically sensitive within local and global contexts.

For more information contact info@hynesdevelopments.com

Submitted by: Lara Chibuk