BCIT is the first and only Canadian post-secondary to become an Unreal Engine Academic Partner. The Unreal Academic Partner Program recognizes post-secondary institutions that have committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities with an experienced faculty, proven curricula, sufficient facilities, and resources to create positive outcomes for students with various personal growth and career objectives. The program ensures students are prepared for an evolving and highly competitive job market with transferable skills that increase their potential in a globalized economy.
What it means to be an Unreal Engine Academic Partner
As an Unreal Engine Academic Partner, Epic will empower the program and ensure BCIT students are prepared for an evolving and highly competitive job market with transferable skills that increase their potential in a globalized economy.
“It was important for BCIT to join the Unreal Academic Partner Program, as their creation tools are integrated within many gaming, visual effects, broadcasting, and design companies. BCIT students create amazing work using Unreal Engine and we are excited to further develop this relationship,” said Ramin Shadmehr, Program Head, BCIT Technical Arts program.
Some benefits of being an Unreal Academic Partner include, but not limited to: advanced registration opportunities for limited-availability educational events and training; advanced information on internships and hiring events; featured promotion through Epic online channels; and more.
How this partnership came to be
As a doctoral student in the Educational Technology and Learning Design program at SFU, Ramin is researching the effectiveness of the virtual reality environment in training and teaching for adults with autism. He has been collaborating with Epic Games – provider of the Unreal Engine – on his research project. Throughout these collaborations, he realized that the BCIT Technical Arts that he heads and the 3D Modeling, Art, and Animation programs are excellent fit for the academic partnership program. Hence, he started the conversation with Epic Games and after an extensive application process, the two programs successfully obtained recognition as official academic partners. ”
BCIT Technical Arts and 3D Modeling, Art, and Animation students use Unreal Engine creation tools to produce real-time photorealistic renderings and animations. Through hands-on practice using tools used in the real-world, BCIT Technical Arts and 3D students develop practical skills needed to be job-ready in the gaming, film, and television industries.
BCIT School of Business and Media is the only business school in BC that offers programs in Animation and Gaming, Web and Mobile, and Communications and Graphics, through its Digital Arts department, including the first Technical Arts program in Canada. Students in the Technical Arts and 3D Modeling, Art, and Animation programs graduate with industry connections and applied technical skills instrumental for success in a creative and dynamic field. Learn more about the Technical Arts or 3D Modeling, Art, and Animation.
(Note: The photo at the top of this article was taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.)