To meet the exceeding demand of animators in the country, Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), a leading institute offering high-end 3D animation and VFX training jointly with India's open university IGNOU has begun a degree course in Bachelor of Arts in 3D Animation and Visual Effects .

"Unlike other Open and Distance Learning (ODL) courses of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), this program is an intensive, regular 3-year course with a comprehensive curriculum." Director, School of Journalism and New Media Studies, IGNOU, Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh said today in a statement.

"India is becoming a global animation hub wherein the international studios are outsourcing the work to the country.

IGNOU in collaboration with MAAC has introduced a specialised degree program in 3D animation and Visual effects which will enable students to have the technical skills along with the technology edge which will help them to be job-ready-animation pro," Singh said.

Ram Warrier, Business Head, MAAC said, "The Indian animation industry is growing by leaps and bounds and would require more than three lakh animators in the next two years."

"I am confident that a university degree in 3D Animation & Visual Effects by IGNOU backed by MAAC's expertise will equip the students with specialised skills that are industry relevant and in tune with the global courses, thus making the students industry ready," Warrier said..

The newly-launched joint-program will be made available across the country at select MAAC centres, Warrier said.

At the end of the successful completion of the program the students will be awarded with an exclusive degree by IGNOU along with a certificate from MAAC.

About the course, he said, a power packed three year degree program with focus on creation of Digital Video (DV) films through intense training in concepts of film-making such as Basics of Film Making, Character Animation and Setup, and Compositing and Editing.

It also covers in-depth training on 3D Animation and Visual Effects with Node Based Compositing and match moving.

The program offers a thorough understanding of the Animation Production Pipeline, Warrier said.