CYBERJAYA, March 27 – Multimedia University (MMU) today announced the launch of its newest programme, the Bachelor of Cinematic Arts (Honours).
Also known as the Cinematic Arts Programme (CAP), the programme will bring Hollywood-ready skills for the local and regional entertainment industry.
The objective of having the CAP is to develop the next generation of Malaysian film- makers. This three-year programme was designed with the collaboration of the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California (USC), which is the oldest such school in the United States.
Since 1929, the School of Cinematic Arts has trained and nurtured thousands of writers, directors, scholars, entrepreneurs, producers, animators, interactive designers and others who have developed an unparalleled mastery in cinema, television and new media.
Given the school’s proximity to Hollywood, as well as the superb quality of their academics, the School of Cinematic Arts at USC has a very good understanding of the industry. MMU is tapping into the entirety of its knowledge and syllabi, and not just taking halfway measures such as hiring one or two of its alumni.
As such, MMU is expecting to change the landscape of live-action cinema and TV in Malaysia, much as it did with animation. For instance, MMU graduates were the creators of the iconic Upin & Ipin, as well as BoboiBoy.
President of Multimedia University, Professor Dato’ Dr. Muhamad Rasat Muhamad, who chaired the press conference where the announcement was made, expressed his happiness with the programme.
“MMU was established with the purpose of helping Malaysia transform its economy,” he said. “Now, with the introduction of CAP 17 years after our establishment, we are proving to the world that MMU is still the premier university for Creative Multimedia in Malaysia and even the region. We are completely in line with the government’s effort of developing the creative
industry.”
Initially, CAP will be delivered at the Faculty of Creative Multimedia (FCM) in MMU’s Cyberjaya campus. Come 2014, however, the programme would be shifted to its purpose-built campus in EduCity Iskandar, Nusajaya, Johor. The 1.02-acre campus will have a built-up area of approximately 45,000 square feet, and will be part of the 7-acre Multi-Varsity Enterprise Building.
Prof. Rasat was also very excited with the location of the new campus. “The CAP campus is only 10 minutes away from Pinewood Studios Malaysia,” he said.
“So the potential for our students and even our staff is amazing. One of the best wayswe could leverage this opportunity is securing the best placements for our students’ industrial training attachments. Having our students getting first-hand exposure to the industry will be an education like no other.”
He is confident that the CAP will help transform the landscape of the Malaysian entertainment industry. “We have done it before through our graduates who created Upin & Ipin and BoboiBoy. Now, with very strong support from USC, we have set our targets through benchmarking and we are ready to help Malaysia become the cinematic capital of South East Asia.”
Also in attendance was Mr. Khairil Anwar bin Ahmad, Chief Operating Officer, Iskandar Investment Berhad, who expressed his happiness with MMU’s CAP being hosted in EduCity Iskandar.
He described Iskandar Malaysia is being set tobecome Southern Peninsular Malaysia’s most developed region, where living, entertainment, environment and business seamlessly converge within a bustling
metropolis.
The CAP campus would not only fit in with the overall concept of EduCity, but would also supply invaluable human capital for the Pinewood Iskandar Studios nearby.
Prof. Rasat stresses that the combination of CAP’s comprehensive syllabus together with its facilities would enable any student to pursue a rewarding career in cinematic arts. “You can be a normal student who has never made a video even with a phone camera, but if you are interested and passionate about learning, we will train you to be what you want to be.”
MMU will have a preview of CAP during its Open Day on 31st March at MMU Cyberjaya. Everyone, including those interested to learn more about CAP or any of MMU’s courses are invited to attend.
The Bachelor of Cinematic Arts (Honours) will be taking in its first batch of students in MMU’s June 2013 intake. For more information for enrolment, please contact either 013-6133144 (Vincent), 013-3808844 (Emely) or 013 6306455 (Mr. Azlan).
About MMU
Multimedia University (MMU) is Malaysia’s first private university. This tertiary education institution was set up through Universiti Telekom Sdn Bhd (UTSB), a wholly owned subsidiary of TM. MMU fulfills the noblest of corporate social responsibilities — taking up the challenge of educating the next generation of the nation’s leaders and knowledge workers.
As the first private university in Malaysia, MMU developed the pioneer model for the successful establishment of private universities in the nation, paving the way for the growth of the private tertiary education sector. As the university at the heart of the MSC, MMU serves the premier university for ICT and Creative Multimedia in Malaysia, supporting the government’s aspiration of developing the
knowledge industries of the country.
Now in its 17th year, MMU has achieved much in a relatively short period of time. The university runs in two campuses, its original campus in the historical city of Melaka, and the campus in Cyberjaya that was launched by the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed. Soon, it will have a third campus in EduCity Iskandar, Nusajaya, Johor.
MMU has produced 34,378 graduates to date, and a recent survey demonstrates that about 90% of these secure employment within 6 months of the completion of their studies. It has around 20,000 students in total, 3,800 of which are international students from 77 countries.
MMU has established itself as a major player in research and development, and maintains excellent ties with the industry through collaborations and research partnerships. The university currently hosts 13 Research Centres. These centres focus on the niche areas of computing, informatics, nanotechnology, microsystems, biometrics, virtual reality, microwave and telecommunications, engineering, photonics, advanced robotics and business.
Currently, in a survey by www.topuniversities.com, MMU is one of the Top 200 university in all of Asia. MMU is also recognized by the Malaysian government, through its 2011 SETARA rating, as an Excellent Tier-5 university.
To learn more about Multimedia University, visit http://www.mmu.edu.my/
SOURCE : Multimedia University (MMU)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
NAME : Mr. Hefni Izzat
Press and Publications Officer
TEL : 03-8312 5908
E-MAIL : hefni.izzat@mmu.edu.my
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