The Art Institute of Vancouver today announced its status as a degree-granting institution. The Art Institute of Vancouver was granted approval to offer a Bachelor of Applied Design in Graphic Design, from the Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, in April 2010. The inaugural program will begin running in May 2010. The proposed program will be 3 years (36 months), or 12 - 11 week quarters, and will be composed of 180 academic credits. The degree will include a focus on the increasingly vital relationship between design and sustainable principles, in recognition of the growing need for designers who can provide solutions while creating sustainable, eco-conscious designs. Tom Kim, President of The Art Institute of Vancouver, said, "One of the many reasons for the school to offer bachelor degrees is to provide our students more time with our excellent academic team to further learn, absorb, and develop their professional and technical skills, thus hopefully improving their competitiveness in pursuing employment and promotion in a related field." Kim confirmed that the school will actively pursue obtaining approval to offer bachelor degrees in each of its other program areas, with four shortlisted for submission later this year. He added, "We believe that our prospective, current, and past students deserve a bachelor degree option, adding to our valuable, industry-relevant diploma program offerings." The Art Institute of Vancouver submitted the proposal for the Bachelor of Applied Design in Graphic Design to the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development in Spring 2009. The Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB) subsequently sent two teams of education experts to assess the program proposal and the school’s capacity to become a degree granting institution. Sunita Wiebe, Director of Faculty Development at The Art Institute of Vancouver said, "We are committed to producing leaders - dedicated, innovative individuals who will revolutionize sustainable design and its impact on everyday living." About the Bachelor of Applied Design in Graphic Design The Art Institute of Vancouver Bachelor of Applied Design in Graphic Design is designed to be a ground-breaking program in Western Canada, focusing on the increasingly vital relationship between design and sustainable principles. As environmental demands escalate and take centre focus in educational and political discourse, it addresses a growing need for designers who can provide solutions while creating sustainable, eco-conscious designs. The proposed degree seeks to set an exceptional standard by leading the education movement towards sustainable practices; with the aim to produce designers who combine technical aptitude, critical thinking skills and ethical awareness. About The Art Institute of Vancouver The Art Institute of Vancouver is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals. |
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