Faculty of Fine Arts and Music joins Epic Games’ Unreal Academic Partner Program
The Faculty of Fine Arts and Music has recently joined Epic Games’ Unreal Engine Academic Partner Program to enhance teaching and learning in the emerging field of real-time 3D graphics, animation, and virtual production.
This makes the Faculty one of the few Australian educational institutions to have academic partnership status in Epic’s internationally renowned program.
Epic develops the world’s most advanced real-time 3D tool, Unreal Engine, which is used across industries such as gaming, film and television, automotive, and architecture. Unreal Engine powers the world’s leading games including Fortnite, Black Myth Wukong, and the forthcoming Witcher 4.
As part of the program, Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) students will be able to submit original work to potentially be included in Epic’s annual Student Showcase reel. Students will also have access to masterclasses and learning resources developed by Epic Games, and VCA lecturers will have access to teaching materials in Unreal Academy, a unique learning environment designed specifically for 3D creators.
The VCA’s world-class Virtual Production team will be able to connect with other educators globally using Unreal Engine, and will also have access to training opportunities to ensure continuous improvement of courses and programs.
Head of VCA Film and Television David Balfour said the Faculty’s acceptance into the program shows that the innovative work of staff and students using Unreal Engine is being recognised by industry leaders.
“We’re thrilled to be joining Epic’s Unreal Academic Partnership Program. It’s a powerful endorsement of the bold, industry-aligned work our staff and students are doing in virtual production, and strengthens our commitment to preparing graduates who can shape the future of screen-based storytelling,” he said.
Joining the Unreal Engine Academic Partner Program marks a new milestone for the Faculty’s development of world-class teaching and learning in virtual production, following the launch of its LED Volume Studio last year.