Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology, Toronto, Canada, and Frameboxx Animation and Visual Effects Mumbai India, have announced an agreement to jointly offer Post Graduate Certificate Programs in Animation, Visual effects and Gaming in India. The formal signing of the agreement took place on October 7th 2008 in Mumbai, with H.E. the Consul General of Canada gracing the occasion.

Seneca is internationally renowned for training and offers over 144 courses in different disciplines. Over 100,000 students pass through its 8 campuses in Toronto every year. It is recognized as a leader in the animation, visual effects and gaming education sectors and many of its alumni are renowned artists recognized by world audiences for excellence in their craft.

Animation training giant, Frameboxx brings its well established credentials with over 40 training centers in India and overseas. The Frameboxx incubation center in Mumbai will provide additional leverage. A pioneering initiative, this center provides an in-studio experience to successful Frameboxx students. A state of the art facility, fully equipped with the latest technology and a panel of experienced industry professionals who mentor each batch, ensures that students are fully prepared to meet the challenges of the professional work environment.

Batch sizes are limited to a maximum of 25 students in the Post Graduate Certificate program for a rigorous two semester course. Stringent enrollment criteria will ensure quality students and only those with genuine talent and capability will be able to enroll. The first semester will be completed in India and will cover a wide range of courses ranging from pre-production essentials including life drawing and storyboarding to animation principles and workflows. Students will then have to pass rigorous tests to qualify for the second semester in Canada which will cover advanced topics such as project development, character rigging & animation among other things. The Seneca Post Graduate certificate is a globally recognized certification.

“At Seneca, we are delighted with the beginning of our new partnership in India. We believe our alliance with Frameboxx will be of strategic importance for us in the dynamic world of animation and visual effects. We are very positive about this initiative, since India is one of our key global markets”, said Mr. Mohammed Khan, Vice President International & Business Development, Seneca College.

“At Frameboxx, we’ve always aimed at delivering world class animation and visual effects training in India. Our association with Seneca is one more giant step in that direction and we believe that it will be a unique opportunity for students who wish to carve a niche in this industry”, said Rajesh Turakhia, MD, Frameboxx.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Gulab Mewani, SAARC Representative, Seneca, said “I am very happy to see that our initiative has fructified into a meaningful relation with Frameboxx. This arrangement will provide an ideal opportunity for Indian students to get international quality training and an early chance to approach acclaimed animation, visual effects and gaming companies across the world.”

“In the current training scenario, Frameboxx provides the required foresight, vision and atmosphere for collaborative growth in India. I am happy to see the outcome of this initiative and together we are now looking forward to raise the bar and set new benchmarks for formal training in India”, Ranjit Singh, Degree Certificate Program Director.

The first batch of these programs is scheduled to start in January 2009.