WatSPEED, the University of Waterloo's professional, and executive and corporate education arm, announced a multi-year partnership agreement with Progressive Generation (PG) Holding represented by PG Studios at the Education Global Exhibition (EDGEx) assembly in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The partnership will offer co-branded animation certificate programs designed to equip students in Jordan and Saudi Arabia with the skills and knowledge to excel in competitive global markets.
Waterloo's role in this collaboration includes advising on the structure, content, learning outcomes, assessments of the programs and certification, with significant involvement from the Faculty of Arts, Renison University College and WatSPEED. Students will receive co-branded certificates in AI media production, specifically AI Animation (both 2D and 3D), AI filmmaking, AI documentaries and AI advertising, and participate in an intensive summer design experience hosted at Waterloo.
The announcement at EDGEx offered education leaders, innovators and policymakers exclusive insights into how this collaboration will revolutionize media production education and accelerate economic development in the Middle Eastern and North Africa (MENA) region.
"The future belongs to those who build it and today, PG and Waterloo are laying the foundation. This landmark partnership reflects PG Academy's unwavering commitment to equipping the next generation of leaders with cutting-edge, skills-driven education that bridges global expertise with local innovation," says Ahmad Almasri, CEO of PG Holding.
"We are proud to collaborate with a visionary institution like Waterloo to support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. Together, we aim to foster a vibrant ecosystem for entrepreneurship and the creative economy, creating transformative opportunities for learners and industries alike. There's no better platform to unveil this milestone than EDGEx a powerful testament to our shared dedication to reshaping the future of work and education."
PG Studios, specializing in 2D and 3D animation, music production, audio engineering and video production, is at the forefront of this collaboration. The partnership with Waterloo will see the establishment of PG Academy an extension of PG's School of Animation Arts designed to create more than 50,000 job opportunities for Jordanian and Saudi youth in fields including animation production, video game development, AI content creation and more.
Waterloo excels in providing experiential education, fostering entrepreneurship through its programs at WatSPEED and startup incubator Velocity and ensuring that student and researcher innovations yield significant societal and economic benefits. PG Holding's focus on investing in creative content and intellectual properties complements with Waterloo's dedication to IP mobilization and commercialization. Together, they share a vision of leveraging intellectual property to inspire innovation and drive economic growth.
"This partnership reflects Waterloo's commitment to preparing learners for the future of work through globally recognized, skills-based education that's rooted in real-world impact," says Sanjeev Gill, associate vice-president of Innovation at Waterloo. "We are proud to work alongside forward-thinking partners like PG Academy in Saudi Arabia to support the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This cross-border collaboration will strengthen the creative economy and entrepreneurship across the region, and so we're delighted to be able to announce this partnership for the first time at EDGEx in Riyadh."
Dr. Monica Leoni, professor and chair of Spanish and Latin American Studies and chair of Fine Arts, and Dr. Gerald Vorhees, professor and chair of Communication Arts, are dedicated to bridging the connection between Waterloo and PG Holding by facilitating curriculum development aligned with Waterloo's Alternative Credits Approval Committee.
Animation has the ability to transcend cultural barriers and evoke empathy, offering a unique opportunity for students to create animations at PG Academy that present more authentic storytelling and views of the MENA region. Waterloo and PG Holding also strive to challenge misinformation and reshape perceptions of the Middle East. Their co-branded certificate programs in AI media production will encourage students to create content that resonates with local audiences and reflect their realities. The international partnership aims to enhance global viewers' understanding and appreciation of the Middle East's rich cultural heritage, diverse traditions and daily life.
Waterloo's Faculty of Arts programming in game studies, digital and studio arts has long been recognized for excellence in nurturing creative talent. Waterloo has produced graduates like Chris Williams (BA '90) who have continued to pursue their passions in animation, having a career as an intern at Disney working on numerous projects and as co-director of Big Hero 6, which received an Oscar award for best animated feature in 2015.
The collaboration between PG Holding and Waterloo marks a significant milestone in animation education in the MENA region. With state-of-the-art facilities, local faculty in Saudi Arabia trained by Leoni and Vorhees, and a curriculum designed to meet international standards, PG Academy is set to become a beacon of excellence in animation education in the Arab world.
