IDEA-X (Immersive Digital Experience Academic Program) is a four-week intensive, cross-cultural, English and multimedia training program. It is specifically designed for international undergraduate students who want to explore Canadian education and career opportunities in the games and digital entertainment industry.

IDEA-X’s tailored curriculum includes:

• Professional Development Workshops in Unity 3D Game Engine, Website Development, Visual Design and Planning and current hot topic Mobile Game Development for Android and iPhone
• CELL (Digital Media Edition) is a course specifically engineered for second language learners who want to improve their productive and receptive skills in the digital media arena. Building on a series of established ESL frameworks, learners will expand their knowledge of the digital media lexicon, be exposed to collaborative team based approaches to rapid product iteration, practice accuracy in writing and fluency in delivering ‘pitches’, deepen their understanding of professional business practices, and use improvisational tools to enhance their own learning process. Skill development in the areas of innovation, collaboration and presentation are linked to the Interdisciplinary Improvisation course that is taught at the Masters of Digital Media Program.
• Opportunities for CUC students to work on industry-facing projects with MDM students
• Industry networking events and company tours plus guest lectures by industry legends such as Don Mattrick, current Senior VP at Microsoft and former EA president
• A "Taste of BC" extra-curricular activities organized with a digital media twist. For example, the ARG (Alternate Reality Game) Field Trip to Stanley Park where students explore one of Vancouver’s natural treasures in a game involving digital clues and GPS coordinates
• Digital media knowledge transfer between MDM students and the partner institution.

Here's an example of IDEA-X's course calendar. Please note, that the course calendar can be adapted to the specific needs of each incoming IDEA-X class.

For the inaugural program, the Centre for Digital Media partnered with the prestigious Communication University of China (CUC). Visit the CUC-MDM website at cucmdm.gnwc.ca for details regarding their course calendar, industry projects and extra-curricular activities. To view photos taken during this program, click here and here.

For more information about IDEA-X and to partner with the MDM Program, please contact Di (Bill) Zhao at tel: 778 370 1005 or bill_zhao@gnwc.ca