It was a day of celebration as the Faculty of Arts and Design at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted the Animation Short Course 2024 graduation, at the Coastlands Musgrave Hotel on Friday, 27 July 2024.
Dr Dianna Moodley, Faculty Research Co-ordinator and the visionary behind the Animation project at DUT, warmly welcomed attendees and expressed her gratitude for their presence. She highlighted how the students had significantly advanced animation at DUT, positioning the university as a leader in entrepreneurship, innovation, job creation and career development within this rapidly growing global industry.
“You have taken a brave step to do Animation as a Short Course while some of you are studying and working full time. You have now acquired a very rare skill which will expose you to many opportunities with huge names in media and the film industry,” she said.
Professor Colin Thakur, Director of the Centre for Continuing Professional Education, said that now is the time to allow for mistakes to happen to develop. He urged the students to embrace the moment as Animators.
“The flaws that you will make from this day going forward will define you, so you need to keep work on constantly developing and improving yourselves and your work. I salute all of you and congratulate you for your achievement,” said Professor Thakur.
Professor Jean Baxen, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design thanked everyone for attending the Animation graduation. She shared how humbling it is to hear how the project has taken the students from the point of zero to a point of hero. She further added that she also had the privilege many years ago to work in the Animation industry and it was one of the most exciting times in her career.
“It is amazing how small beginnings can take you places that you cannot imagine. Animation can be something that sets us apart with inner context where art and design is core. I am excited and looking forward to seeing you making it either as academics coming back to DUT or being in the limelight as artists.”
“We are hopeful that we will soon have a Higher Certificate in a year or two which will give the course the credibility it deserves. All the best to you, may that certificate be the conduit for great things today and tomorrow.” She also mentioned that the longer-term goal is to offer it as a fully-fledged degree.
The event concluded with the awarding of certificates to students and pictures taken.
Pictured: Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts and Design, Professor Jean Baxen, Director of the Centre for Continuing Professional Education, Professor Colin Thakur, Faculty Research Co-ordinator, Dr Dianna Moodley with the Animation Short Course Programme Facilitators and students.
Photographer: Mnqobi Ngobese.
Patience Makhaye
