Thursday, September 21, 2006

New Institute launched in Leicester

It seems that the city of my birth has just got a little more interesting! De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester has just launched a new institute called 'The Institute of Creative Technologies (IOCT)'. The institute was launched on September 20th with a speach by Internet guru Howard Rheingold. This new institute seeks to pioneer a unique model of collaborative research in creative technologies. From the press release:

'The Institute of Creative Technologies (IOCT) at DMU, headed by Professor Andrew Hugill, will act as a catalyst for research that defies the traditional boundaries of computer science, the digital arts and humanities, and is already exciting the interest of the business world.

The Institute’s work will benefit the creative industries - one of the most important sectors in the UK and the East Midlands’ economy - and it has attracted the support of Microsoft, the Leicester–based MD of ideas company Sleepy Dog, Toby Moores, renowned computer scientist Steve Grand OBE, of Cyberlife Research Ltd, and the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), as well as award-winning authors and artists.

It will develop research projects, showcase work, present lectures and seminars, and open for visitor days. Guests will be greeted by cutting-edge technology including acoustic installations, ground-breaking holography, and roaming colonies of robot creatures, including ants and dogs.

Jerry Fishenden, Microsoft’s National Technology Officer, says the IOCT will undertake some of the most exciting work he’s aware of in the UK.'

Sounds like interesting work will be done here...

Thanks to Paul B. Hartzog for pointing this out!

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