Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU) is offering a brand new degree in media technology this September. The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Media Design and Immersive Technology (BA-MDIT) programme is designed for young people who are interested in virtual reality (VR) and other immersive technology, or intend to work in the creative industries.
The BA-MDIT programme is operated by the Department of Journalism and Communication. Mr. SO Kai Chi, Edgar, Associate Head and Associate Professor of Practice of the Department, told Shue Yan Newsletter that approval had been granted by the Chief Executive and the Executive Council to HKSYU in June this year to award degrees for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Media Design and Immersive Technology programme. Candidates of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination and other applicants can apply for the first year of the programme in the 2021/2022 academic year.
He said the BA-MDIT programme is a theory- and practice-based programme designed to give students extensive knowledge of the principles of media design, up-to-date professional knowledge and techniques of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and other immersive technologies, and an understanding of the processes applied in creative industries.
Graduates of the BA-MDIT prgramme can work as transmedia designer, VR/AR application developer, user interface (UI)/user experience (UX) designer & developer, exhibition coordinator and multi-media producer in the areas of art direction, branding and advertising, content marketing, digital marketing, game design, and in news and information programme production…etc.
The BA-MDIT programme is composed of four main areas of subjects:
(1) MDIT foundation;
(2) UI/UX design;
(3) VR/AR immersive technology; and
(4) entrepreneurship. (see figure below)
Core courses of UI/UX design include: Principles of Interaction Design, Human Centered UI & UX Design, and core courses of VR/AR immersive technology include: Computer Graphic Design & Publishing, Understanding VR/AR (Unity 1 & Unreal 1), Asset Creation for VR/AR, and VR/AR Application Development (Unreal 2).
Mr. SO also highlighted the importance of the entrepreneurship element of the programme. He said: “We believe our graduates can create value and start-ups using immersive technology. They know the needs of the audience and the market, they know how to immerse audience in VR/AR content, and they know how to be entrepreneurs. Because we offer students a large number of core and elective courses in entrepreneurship, including Entrepreneurship and New Product Development for the Information Industry, Digital Entrepreneurship, Corporate Finance, e-Business Management, Digital Game Marketing, and Advertising Strategies & Design, to name a few.”
The Department of Journalism and Communication will enroll 40 students for the BA-MDIT programme in the 2021/2022 academic year. Students must complete a minimum 125 credits to be eligible for graduation, including Professional Internship course and Capstone Project.
Mr. SO said this professional internship course enable students to apply their knowledge and skills to the real world, and thus enrich their learning experience, and improve their employability. （Programme website: https://jc.hksyu.edu/en/MDIT/home#)
Source：Summer 2021 Issue