Computer game course for the North West

A new course teaching computer gaming technology is being set up at the North West Institute of Further & Higher Education (NWIFHE).

One of the first gaming technology courses to be offered in Ireland, it has been supported by Irish IT solutions provider B.I.C. Systems.

B.I.C. provided and configured the students' work stations and assisted in the design of the laboratory where the course is to be taught.

"The gaming technology sector looks set to grow exponentially over the coming years. Already, the sector has a faster rate of growth in the UK than the music or film industries and we are looking to tap into that growth," said course director Robbie Hegarty.

The course - to be known Higher National Certificate in Interactive Computer Entertainment - will include tuition in 3D game programming, computer music production and mathematics for game programming.

"Working closely with B.I.C. Systems, we feel we are now in a position to offer a world class education facility for students looking to work in the sector," said Mr. Hegarty.

"It is in the interests of the indigenous technology industry and, indeed, the wider local economy that we can provide well trained graduates to support the development of this sector here in Ireland," added Gerry McGuckin, Deputy Director for Technology Development at the NWIFHE.