Doha, May 05 (QNA) - Dean of Virginia Commonwealth University's School of the Arts (VCUarts) in Qatar, a Qatar Foundation (QF) partner university, Amir Berbic affirmed that the university will celebrate this year the graduation of 72 students across its various academic programs.

In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Berbic said that the university currently enrolls around 350 male and female students, a figure that has remained steady in recent years. He noted that 97 new students have been admitted for the 2024 - 2025 academic year, 91 undergraduates and 6 in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Design. In the 2023 - 2024 academic year, 101 new students were admitted, he added.

He pointed out that 67 students graduated in the class of 2023 - 2024 from Graphic Design, Interior Design, Painting + Printmaking, Art History, Fashion Design, and MFA programs.

Regarding graduate support, Berbic said that the university maintains a close relationship with its alumni through a dedicated alumni relations program that focuses on strengthening their professional endeavors, expanding their network of relationships, and keeping them connectedآ with the university. The alumni team plays a key role in career advising, job searches, resume reviews, and connecting graduates with employment opportunities through the university's partnerships with various sectors, he noted.

He also highlighted specialized events such as the Career Doorway and the annual Makers Market, which offer alumni platforms to showcase their work, connect with industry professionals, explore entrepreneurial opportunities, and participate in local and international exhibitions, academic mentoring programs, and collaborative projects.

On partnerships with public and private sectors, Berbic said that the university collaborates closely with institutions such as Qatar Museums, Qatar Foundation, and the Ministry of Culture to provide internships, joint projects, and employment opportunities for students and graduates. Additional partnerships include companies like Alfardan Group, the Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB), and several design studios, he added.

He stressed that these efforts not only enhance graduates' job readiness but also help align educational outcomes with national labor market needs.

He encouraged students entering creative industries to embrace lifelong learning, given the constant changes in these fields, especially with the rise of tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms. He also emphasized the importance of attending workshops and training courses, developing business and tech skills, and building effective professional networks.

He also emphasized the importance of having a strong and diverse portfolio that reflects the student's creative voice, tailoring it for each job application, and highlighting various skills and personal projects that showcase the applicant's passion and uniqueness.

Among the most in-demand fields for graduates, he said that Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Digital Media, and Animation, all experience growing demand due to the boom in digital platforms, advertising, and gaming. He pointed to high demand for skills such as branding design, motion graphics, and storytelling, as well as proficiency in tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Blender, After Effects, and Unreal Engine.

He pointed out that interior and environmental design remain highly significant, especially with the increasing focus on quality and sustainability in spaces, noting the importance of mastering tools like AutoCAD, Revit, and virtual reality technologies.

Game design and interactive media are also seeing notable growth, he added, while fields like multimedia storytelling, art history, and museum practices are undergoing a digital transformation with tools such as 3D scanning, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) used to develop digital exhibitions and collections.

Berbic also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in creative processes through tools like Midjourney and Adobe Firefly, alongside the growing use of 3D printing in product and fashion design.

He pointed out that the university contributes to the innovation environment at the Education City by hosting events such as the Tasmeem Doha conference and the Hamad bin Khalifa Symposium on Islamic Art, noting increased demand this year for the university's master's program in design compared to last year.

Concluding his remarks to QNA, Dean of VCUarts in Qatar Amir Berbic expressed confidence in the promising future of higher education in Qatar, with a focus on innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and aligning academic programs with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. He affirmed that the university is continuously updating its curricula with an emphasis on integrating technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainability to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. (QNA)