“Learn without thinking begets ignorance. Think without learning is dangerous.”
The future of China probably belongs to people who can both think and learn independently given the proper tools and access.
My interest in educational multimedia publishing dates back to my studies for my MA in Computer Animation. One of my research projects was the use of multimedia applications In English mainstream schools. (see attached letter) After interviewing numerous teachers and advisers from the local (UK) education directorate and working as a teaching assistant for a local school in their art and technology program, I discovered multimedia publishing including the use of new media and that computer games can be an excellent tool in assisting and enhancing students’ interest of learning. Upon graduating, I began working in the 3D animation industry on a production titled “World of Words”, a computer program that uses 3D characters to teach children how to read and write. I have also worked on mainstream games such as “Spiderman” for Sony Pictures and a “direct to video” production of “Hot Wheels” for Mattel while at Mainframe Entertainment.
In 2007, I traveled back to China numerous times while working for Next Level Games as a designer and liaison between our two studios. Due to my love of reading and book collecting, I visited publishers in Beijing and Shenzhen. During my travels, I discovered a tremendous amount of new publications and also publishing houses interested in cooperating with foreign publishers in game arts and multimedia technology. I noticed that those massive book stores and Multilanguage publication centers were always full of people and I could feel the hunger and desire for ordinary Chinese people to develop new skills and communicate with the outside world. I have always been one of them and I understand how they feel and what they need. I realized there is something I can contribute; there is something worth devoting my life to, multimedia online publishing, a publishing heaven for the people.
There is a sea of change going on in China and as I traveled the country sides and inland cities, I saw, in the eyes of a population, a people looking for a better way of life. China’s education system is going through semi privatization and it can be very costly for Chinese low to middle class families to gain a good education. I’ve heard the sad stories of migrant workers from inland China, some of them who are desperate for training and access to an education, but can never afford it or have no idea where to get it. I can’t help but wonder, can anything be done through the development of affordable online training and publications? Can the internet be used to show them their options and give them hope for a wonderful future? Maybe one day, in China, learning English will not be just for the rich, but for anyone who has the will to learn and access to the internet.
Fuelled by the desire to delve further into the field of multimedia publishing, I took some freelance work from a local e-learning company call “Circle Learning” in Yale town. I also attended many workshops, including a 5-month program on Multimedia Technology Studies in UBC to gain expertise in the field of creating multimedia websites.
I am a good designer and I have taught myself advance level English and successfully complete my MA studies in UK in Computer Animation. I have broad level of work experience in design for interactive media and I will continue my advancement in the field while gaining valuable knowledge in the publishing industry.
As I browsed through the list of schools, I found SFU Canadian Centre in Publishing. Your course fulfils all my requirements of a well-designed general study of the publishing industry: great facilities, broad curricula, flexible course structures and practical training opportunities.
I am aware that intensive study in a specialized field is a difficult task to achieve and excel at. But I strongly believe that what we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not because the nature of the thing has changed, but because the power to do it has increased.
I know where to direct the force of my will, to ensure that my career doesn't lay within the ruins of indecisiveness. In this decision alone, I choose the only path that shall lead me to certain success in your program. I would like to take with me, in addition to knowledge of Multi-interactive media and Design, a network of strong and lasting relationships with my teachers and fellow-students. I hope that my background and qualifications are found suitable for the Mpub Program.
