Dated: 3 March 2010
Eight projects selected for funding under Media in Learning initiative;resource centre to be set up
Five months after the Media Development Authority’s (MDA) announcement of its Media in Learning initiative to explore the use of media such as games to enhance learning and teaching, eight industry projects have been selected for co-investment.
Arising from a call for proposals launched in October 2009, the eight cover sectors such as education, finance, tourism and hospitality where the use of games in pedagogically designed scenarios can enhance learning, training and teaching. These eight winning projects, selected from two dozen submissions, will get a total funding of about S$1.5 million. Please refer to Annex A for details of these projects.
“Education in Singapore has attained a strong branding and reputation. The speed at which the Media in Learning initiative has moved is a sign of the potential of this sector and the rich possibilities of media as a transformational tool in other sectors. We hope to see more of Singapore’s media companies taking on this opportunity to explore the use of media in this sector,” said Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer of MDA.
To sustain the positive momentum, the MDA will launch a second call for proposals. This time, the call invites companies to submit proposals on innovative applications using Interactive Digital Media in eLearning, Publishing, Broadcasting, Animation and Games, for the purpose of Learning, Training and Education. Refer to http://www.smf.sg/schemes for more details.
In addition, the Media in Learning ecosystem will be enhanced with collaborations with two Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs). Singapore Polytechnic will set up a Games-in-Learning resource centre that houses toolkits, software and facilities for the game and education industry. The centre will provide game developers and the industry with critical tools and resources to develop serious games, and drive business transformation through collaborative projects and deployments. Republic Polytechnic, on the other hand, will engage pedagogical consultants from the UK specializing in serious games, to help the institute bridge the serious games requirements between game developers and educationalists and teachers.
Industry recognition of serious games
Reflecting the increasing importance of serious games, the Games Exchange Alliance (GXA)1 has expanded its cluster initiative to include serious games as one of its chapters. With the full endorsement of the Executive Committee, the GXA is embarking on various initiatives to support this rapidly growing sector including the support of industry events such as the inaugural two-day Serious Games Conference, which opens today at the Suntec Convention Centre. MDA will showcase works from the industry in its pavilion from 4-6 March 2010. Please see Annex B for the list of exhibitors..
"I am a huge advocate of Singapore specialising in the Serious Games space while we level up our capabilities and establish a solid track record through successful product launches. The GXA recognises the commercial challenges of the games industry and believes that Serious Games is a sector where the local games industry can become competitive and establish a track record of international quality, but locally relevant productions,” says Mr Aroon Tan, President of GXA.
-END-
About the Media Development Authority of Singapore
Formed in 2003, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) plays a vital role in transforming Singapore into a Trusted Global Capital for New Asia Media. MDA spearheads initiatives that promote industry growth in film, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation and Interactive Digital Media. At the same time, in ensuring clear and consistent regulatory policies and guidelines, MDA helps to foster a pro-business environment for industry players and increase media choices for consumers. For more information, visit www.mda.gov.sg and www.smf.sg
1 GXA is Singapore’s game industry trade association with over forty member companies and represents the full spectrum of the video games industry.
.webp)