Picasso Digital plans animation colleges

Aiming to cash in on the growth prospects of the animation industry, Delhi-based Picasso Digital Media Pvt Ltd on Thursday its foray into animation education and production with the setting up of two animation colleges in Delhi and Hyderabad soon.

"The company has tied up with Canada-based Centennial College, one of the oldest animation colleges in Canada for the purpose", A B R P Reddy, managing director and chief executive officer of Picasso said.

"The curriculum and faculty will be totally from Canada. The facilities in Hyderabad and Delhi will be state of the art," he said adding that the initial investment for setting up centres is around Rs 1.5 crore (Rs 15 million).  The first batch will have a strength of 60 students.

"Anybody who has passed Intermediate (10+2) is eligible to apply for a diploma course. The courses on offer are certificate/diploma programmes in digital animation and integrated design and digital animation," he said.

After the first batch of students, the company would venture into production in a big way, Reddy said, adding that the fee for a diploma/certificate course is Rs 1.75 lakh. The first batch commences fron July.

Marina Lawrence, Centennial college manager (customer services) claimed that the college is one of the best in world and the students of this college are placed globally. Picasso Digital Media is promoted by Maharshi Group and Rayudu Vision Media Ltd.