Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) recently opened a state of the art multi-media centre, which will enable the University to mould leading edge graduates and position Darwin, globally, as a city with leading edge capabilities in creative industries.
The new multi-media labs will enable CDU for the first time to offer higher education degrees in the creative industries. In 2008 students will enrol in a new interdisciplinary degree the Bachelor of Creative Arts and Industries, as well as four specialist creative degrees in New Media Design, Music (classical and contemporary), Fine Arts and Communication.
CDU Vice Chancellor, Professor Helen Garnett opened the multi-media centre recently, along with the Head of the School of Creative Arts and Humanities, Associate Professor Donal Fitzpatrick.
Assoc. Prof. Fitzpatrick said the new Bachelor of Creative Arts and Industries will give CDU a new presence in higher education and build on the University’s considerable existing strength in Vocational and Technical Education courses in art, music and design.
‘CDU has key strengths in the areas of music, fine arts and design and has recognised an opportunity to take Darwin to the forefront of the global creative industries through the multi-media centre and the new Bachelor of Creative Arts and Industries set of degrees.
‘Evidence from around the world shows smaller cities, particularly those on the interface of different cultures and environments, like Darwin and Alice Springs, have the ability to punch well above their weight in the creative industries,’ he said.
The new Bachelor of Creative Arts and Industries degree will be offered in the interdisciplinary mode at the Alice Springs campus and the new multi media facility in Darwin should allow for closer cooperation between the two cities’ key creative strengths.
The multi-media centre was funded by the Australian Government and Charles Darwin University with the total investment around $1.5 million dollars.