A multimedia academy, The Africa Digital Multimedia Academy the first in Africa, will commence lectures next week in Kigali. This was revealed yesterday, by the Director General of WDA, Jerome Gasana, during a press conference held at the academy premises in Nyarugenge District, Kigali city. He said WDA, in collaboration with Pixel Corps has already recruited 20 students for the first intake. Gasana noted that those who were recruited are already engaged in the multimedia industry. “Over 300 people applied for this training,” Gasana said. He added that after three months, the academy will recruit another batch of students. Initially the school was supposed to have started operating before the end of February, but according to Gasana, it was delayed because they were still procuring equipment for the academy. He noted that the school aims to equip Rwandans with multimedia skills, therefore unlocking the entire industry and encouraging innovation and creativity.The Government, through the WDA, has so far spent Rwf 100 million on the Academy. Various international companies have shown interest in providing more financial support to the school. Speaking to The New Times, Christopher Marler, the Program Manager at the Academy, the Pixel Corps are working with WDA to develop a curriculum and train instructors for the school.“The teaching equipment, which we have brought here, is as good as those used in the film production and Photoshop academies in the USA. In addition, part of our responsibility is also to connect the academy to other academies in the same field”.
