The Minister for Education and Employment, the Hon. EvaristBartolo, officially launched the Institute of Digital Games at the University of Malta today, in the presence of the Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government, the Hon. Owen Bonnici, University of Malta Rector, Prof. Juanito Camilleri, and Institute Director, Prof. Gordon Calleja.

Minister Bartolo outlined the importance of game education in the growing digital game industry in Malta, while Minister Bonnici spoke of theimportant role that digital games play in the Maltese economy and the central place they occupy in contemporary culture.

The Institute was set up in 2013 to deliver world-class teaching and research in digital game design, analysis and technology. Each year the Institute’s M.Sc. in Digital Games takes on 20 graduate studentswho want to learn the art and science of making digital games. Students come from various academic backgrounds, including information technology, engineering, communication and the humanities and social sciences. Graduates of the program are prepared to take on design, research and consultancy roles to address complex game development problems.

“My vision for the Institute is to place Malta on the world map in the areas of game design, research and education” saidProf. Calleja, “For this to happen we need to focus on educating students to both stimulate the growth of innovative, indigenous start-ups, as well as service incoming game studios.”

The Institute also has a strong focus on research and is currently participating in important international research projects. “We also intend to leverage our existing international standing in the research community to establish a thriving doctoral programme made up of local and foreign researchers,” said Prof. Calleja.