USIU-Africa to offer animation course

Kenyan students have a chance to study animation at the United States International University – Africa, following a training partnership entered into with a French institution.

The College of Animation (EMCA) of France yesterday entered into a memorandum of understanding that would enable USIU- Africa to offer a degree programme in animation. Animators are involved in the creation of content for television such as cartoons.

French Ambassador to Kenya Remi Marechaux who presided over the signing of the partnership said new opportunities have emerged for local artistes following the migration to the digital TV platform. "Our part here is to create a world of opportunity for the youth, by not only developing and deploying skills for animating African stories but also in training and passing our real-time industrial experience through training programs," said Amb Marechaux.

USIU-Africa Vice Chancellor Paul Tiyambe Zeleza said the partnership would enable his institution's students exploit the new opportunities in the film industry. The film industry in Kenya is fledgling, but is estimated to be worth Sh200 billion.