Toonskool to offer BSc in animation

Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Toonskool Advanced Animation Academy, Bangalore, for a three-year degree programme in animation.

With the signing of the MoU, Toonskool becomes the first accredited institute in the country to train students for a BSc degree in the field of animation.

The MoU was signed in Mysore recently by K Sudha Rao, vice chancellor, KSOU, registrar K S Sundar, K T Shivanna., dean of academics and study centre and Viswanatha Rao, director - IT.

Announcing the programme, K Sudha Rao said, "India has tremendous opportunity in animation outsourcing. This degree programme in animation has been thoughtfully and timely launched by KSOU to enable the students to be part of the growing animation industry. Even if one student from each village becomes an accredited animator, it will add to the pool of the much-needed reservoir and bring in financial support. Besides, the advent of the programme adds to the avenues available to them and they can now look beyond the traditional BA, BCom degree courses."

Explaining the nature of animation, Viswanatha Rao, director -- IT, KSOU, said, "Animation is both an art and science.

While the end result can be defined as an art, the process of achieving it is science."

The Indian animation industry was anticipated to reach $950 million by 2009, from $250 million in 2005. With the industry flourishing at such a rapid pace, by 2008, a minimum of 3 lakh animation professionals would be required to fill the vacuum, he added.

Added Ashwin Ajila, MD, Toonskool, "In India, animation is no longer merely a pursuit. Animation has globally evolved into a $70 billion industry, playing a vital role in all disciplines of life ranging from medicine, to sports, interactive media to defence. It entails systematic academic procedures and studies to attain a professional level as demanded by the industry."

The joint programme facilitating the BSc degree in animation will be offered through the KSOU-approved study centres across the country.

To begin with, the first degree programme will be launched from August 2006 in three colleges; NITTE Education Trust, NITTE Institute of Technology, Bangalore, Thakur College -- Kandivli Mumbai and H L Sonawane College -- Kalyan Maharashtra, which are already the approved study centres.

The content devised by Toonskool comprises script to screen processes. The course covers all the aspects ranging from identification of individual aptitude to specialisation in the areas of interest.

The programme structure is academically and professionally streamlined to put the student on a definite growth path through the semesters. The course curriculum involves foundation art, classical animation, production process, digital techniques and creative ideation.

Toonskool has a comprehensive curriculum and software tools that moulds the student into a master animator. The specially evolved training module is rigorous, extensive, and contemporary and matches industry standards.

Toonskool Private Limited, set up in Bangalore in 2004, is an advanced animation academy imparting world class animation education.

It has been set up with a vision to grow the animation industry in a healthy and sustainable manner by building a body of professionals in the animation field who can deliver world-class character animation content for both non-broadcast and broadcast segments.