Students are set to begin a new semester of industry-funded projects next January. All projects offered by the Masters of Digital Media Program are based on a four-month development cycle which includes pre-production, monthly milestones and deliverables, and a final product that must be delivered on time and on budget. Telefonica, Bell Canada, InTransit BC, and the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Student Aid BC are just some of the industry clients.

To view current and completed projects, visit mdm.gnwc.ca/industry_projects.

MDM Team Wins Top Telefonica Award at International R&D Fair

Movisphere, a virtual world games arcade developed by a students of the Masters of Digital Media Program in collaboration with Telefonica, won top honours in the "Best New Business Opportunity" Category at Telefonica's Second Annual Research Fair earlier this month. More than 60 entries were received from Telefonica's Research and Development Centres around the world. | FULL STORY

Comics artist and Pulitzer Prize winner Art Spiegelman, and video games giant and creator of The Sims, Will Wright, have joined the advisory board of the Masters of Digital Media Program.

"Having Will and Art on our advisory board is a true asset to our graduate program", comments Gerri Sinclair, executive director of the Masters of Digital Media Program. "Their collective experiences and insight will be extremely valuable to the continual development of our program." | FULL STORY

EAC All Star Awards

The EAC All Star Awards was a theatrical evening of performance art, shmoozing, and award recognition of the top games, people and innovation at EA. Masters of Digital Media Program students attended the red carpet event, held on November 14th, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. MDM Executive Director Dr. Gerri Sinclair, who both presented and participated as the only external member of the judging panel, was cheered on by the students. | FULL STORY

Great Turnout at MDM Open House

More than 80 people (including a number of avatars) attended the Blended Reality Open House on November 27th for a behind-the-scenes look at the Masters of Digital Media Program. Hosted at the Centre for Digital Media, current staff, students and faculty talked to prospective students and gave tours of the facility. Student course-based and industry-funded projects were also showcased to guests. The Open House also took place in Second Life at the Virtual Centre for Digital Media.

MDM Poker Tournament of Hearts & Food Drive

Just like fruit cake, this event has it all. It's a Fundraiser. It's an Industry Mixer. And, it's a Poker Tourney. Join the staff and students of the Masters of Digital Media Program for the First Annual MDM Poker Tournament of Hearts & Food Drive. This is not a cash tourney, rather participants are encouraged to bring food items or a cash donation for the Vancouver Food Bank.

For non-poker afficiandos, there will a poker training table, Wii games, Foosball, and other entertainment.

WebImpact Workshop - Stay Tuned for New Workshop Dates in 2009

The WebImpact: Master Your Domain workshop held Oct 24-26, 2008, was well attended. Participants learned from experts in Advertising, User Experience and Design, Analytics and Social Media on the fundamentals of online promotion, marketing and advertising. New workshop dates will be announced in 2009.

If you have a suggestion on a workshop topic, contact Grace Battiston [grace_battiston@gnwc.ca].

The GNWC draft framework plan is taking shape, building on consultation to date and a September workshop attended by the GNWC Board of Directors and the four Presidents of the partner institutions. The draft plan is expected to go to the City of Vancouver by the end of 2008, with a city-led public process to begin in spring 2009.

Planning staff has been learning about the local community through the Mt. Pleasant Community Planning Process led by the City of Vancouver. GNWC hosted the November meeting of the Mt. Pleasant Social Coordinating Group, a volunteer group taking action on social issues identified by local residents.

For more information, please visit gnwc.ca/campus_development.

Great Northern Way Campus welcomes the Evergreen Foundation as our newest tenant. Evergreen is a national not-for-profit organization that makes cities more livable. By deepening the connection between people and nature, and empowering Canadians to take a hands-on approach to their urban environments, Evergreen is improving the health of our cities - now and for the future. Learn more about Evergreen by visiting www.evergreen.ca.

On behalf of Great Northern Way Campus, Board Chair Warren Gill bid a fond farewall to outgoing President Dennis Pavlich, who has had a long and valued service to GNWC, both as founding Chair and later President. Prof. Pavlich will be returning to teach at the Faculty of Law, University of British Columbia.

Masters of Digital Media Executive Director, Dr. Gerri Sinclair was appointed to the position of President.