Village Gamer

Sault Ste. Marie – More financial aid opportunities will be available next year to students studying computer games technology in Sault Ste Marie. Beginning in 2010, Canadian students entering the Master of Science in Computer Games Technology program at Algoma University will be eligible to receive up to $10 500 in scholarships from Algoma University.

“We recognize that for prospective students, the financial costs associated with graduate studies can sometimes seem daunting,” says Deborah Loosemore, Algoma University’s Director of Advancement and External Relations. “I’m pleased that over the last several years we have been able to continuously introduce new financial awards, on-campus work opportunities and program-specific benefits for students studying the MSc (CGT) here at Algoma U.”

In addition to scholarships, MSc (CGT) students also have the opportunity to offset the costs of their studies by working on-campus, pursuing internships and participating in the Dare to be Digital international games competition held annually in the United Kingdom.

Other benefits of taking the MSc (CGT) at Algoma U include paid travel and accommodation to the annual Future Play conference in Vancouver, BC and being able to network with invited expert speakers from the games industry on-campus.

Current MSc (CGT) student Eric Stock understands the importance of having different financial aid and on-campus work opportunities available. He received a scholarship valued at $17 300 from the National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), a $5 000 entrance award from Algoma University and has participated in Dare to be Digital and worked on-campus as a Teaching Assistant.

Says Stock, “The NSERC award, along with working as a Teaching Assistant and being paid during the Dare to be Digital competition, will allow me to finish my Master’s studies with near-zero debt. Also, the recognition of receiving an NSERC will help me to promote the research I am conducting for my Master’s dissertation.”

First offered at Algoma University in 2007, the MSc (CGT) is among the world’s foremost graduate-level programs in the field of computer games. The program, which takes between 12 to 16 months to complete, is offered on the Algoma University campus by the University of Abertay Dundee, Scotland. Classes are taught by Abertay faculty and lectures are delivered in real-time using videoconferencing technology. Students graduate with a Masters of Science Computer Games Technology degree from the University of Abertay Dundee.

Vancouver – The Masters of Digital Media (MDM) Program together with Zynga, the industry leader in social gaming, has announced the winners of the inaugural Zynga scholarships for the MDM Program at the Centre for Digital Media in Vancouver, B.C. Four students – Su Yon Sohn, Jason Chang, Ryan Nadel and Matthew Schroeter – have earned scholarships totaling $21,000.

“Congratulations to Su Yon, Jason, Ryan and Matt on winning Zynga’s first scholarships to the MDM Program,” said Dr. Gerri Sinclair, Executive Director of the MDM Program and CEO of the Centre for Digital Media at Great Northern Way Campus. “I’d also like to thank Zynga for their support through our Industry Affiliate Program and now through funding these scholarships. To have our students recognized by Zynga, the world’s leader in social gaming, is a testament to the remarkable next-gen talent pool we are developing here at the MDM Program.”

“At Zynga, we’re pleased to offer our support to Su Yon, Jason, Ryan and Matt who will be graduating in 2010,” said Colleen McCreary, Senior VP and Chief People Officer at Zynga. “Zynga commends these students on their academic excellence and for their experience in and passion for social gaming and we look forward to their contribution to Zynga’s mission of connecting the world through games.

The scholarship winners are:

• Su Yon Sohn and Jason Chang, who received $7,000 and;
• Ryan Nadel and Matthew Schroeter, who received $3,500.

The scholarship was based on talent and experience in the area of Game Design, Art or Programming.

Toronto – Destiny Solutions Inc., the leading provider of administration software for Continuing and Professional Education announced the renaming of the Destiny OneCE Scholarship to the Mary Cone Barrie Scholarship.

Dr. Mary Cone Barrie specialized in the art and science of teaching adults as the Director of Continuing

Mary

Studies at the University of Toronto. Mary was committed to the community, learning and had a passion for the implications of technology on adult learners. “Dr. Mary Cone Barrie was an inspiration and mentor to Destiny Solutions, providing her vision and leadership during our first decade,” said Shaul Kuper, CEO of Destiny Solutions. “Destiny is honored to present this scholarship in her name as recognition of her contribution to so many during her lifetime.”

The Mary Cone Barrie Scholarship is distinctive because there are few scholarships devoted specifically to continuing education (or “non-traditional”) students. Not all employers offer financial assistance and many students are between careers.
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Vancouver – Zynga, the industry leader in social gaming, has shown its support for the Masters of Digital Media (MDM) Program with three new entrance scholarships totaling $20,000. The three scholarships will be awarded in the areas of Game Design, Art and Programming. Students beginning their studies in September who have demonstrated remarkable talent in these fields will be considered. The MDM application deadline is June 30, 2009.

“At MDM, we’re thrilled that Zynga is keen to support our Masters of Digital Media students,” said Dr. Gerri Sinclair, Executive Director of the MDM Program and CEO of the Centre for Digital Media at Great Northern Way Campus. “The backing of an industry leader such as Zynga is a testament to the quality of the students joining our two-year program, and we thank the company for their support not only of our program, but of the digital media industry in Vancouver and throughout North America.”
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Vancouver – Vancouver Film School (VFS), Canada’s premier post-secondary entertainment arts institution, today announced Shannon Lee from Toronto, Canada, as the first-ever winner of the Women in Games Scholarship, valued at $30,000. The scholarship covers the full tuition to the acclaimed one-year Game Design program at VFS, which was recently named by the L.A. Times as one of the top 10 schools “favored by video game industry recruiters.”

The unique scholarship was launched in early February at Game Design Expo 2009 as a means to support and foster talented female game designers in an industry traditionally dominated by male gamers and designers. More and more women are forging successful careers in the game industry and now make up 20 percent of the workforce, up 17 percent from 2004, according to findings in The Game Industry: Now & in the Future, a 2009 report released by VFS. The school established the Women in Games scholarship to encourage this positive trend.

Shannon will have the opportunity to experience one intensive year learning every facet of game design, from game theory to level design to game interface design. The Game Design program’s industry-led curriculum reflects a professional game development and production environment, so that when Shannon graduates, she will be prepared to begin a career in the game industry.
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Vancouver – Dr. Gerri Sinclair, Executive Director of the Masters of Digital Media Program and CEO of the Centre for Digital Media, together with Dr. Yosef Wosk, Director of Interdisciplinary Programs in Continuing Studies at Simon Fraser University announced today the Dianne Sinclair Memorial Fellowship Fund, to be offered to the most outstanding female student entering the Masters of Digital Media (MDM) Program each year based on the student’s academic performance and portfolio assessment. The application deadline for the MDM Program is June 30, 2009.

Dr. Yosef Wosk+

The Dianne Sinclair Memorial Fellowship Fund was established by Dr. Yosef Wosk, a supporter of digital media and the Masters of Digital Media Program, a member of the Order of British Columbia and an Honorary Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.) from Emily Carr University of Art + Design. “I wanted to provide financial support for a truly outstanding female student entering the Masters of Digital Media Program in honour of my high regard for MDM’s Executive Director, Dr. Gerri Sinclair and her mother, Dianne,” said Dr. Wosk. “The fund is named in the memory of Dianne Sinclair who believed passionately in the importance of a graduate school education for women.”
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