Six students, two faculty and one staff member from the Creative Media Production and Technology diploma at Gower College Swansea (GCS) in Wales had a chance to experience a week in the life of a Humber student with the Faculty of Media & Creative Arts.  

The visit was made possible with the support of the Government of Wales' Taith Funding, an international learning exchange program embedded in the country’s education system. The Humber experience was part of the program’s goal of creating a life-changing opportunity for a transformative learning experience.  

The group explored all three Humber campuses and locations, connected with the Centres of Innovation Network including the Centre for Creative Business Innovation and the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation (Barrett CTI), expanding the student’s career possibilities in the creative arts field.

The students started their day at the L Space Gallery, where they were exposed to the intersection of contemporary art and polytechnic learning. After a workshop on creating a zine, the students went to work developing their prototype.  

Next, they were given a tour of Humber’s Lakeshore Campus, including the mural designs and typography Humber students created as part of a course project. They visited the exhibit A National Crime: The Residential School Experience in Canada while at Humber where they had the opportunity to reflect on the tragic history of the residential school system.  

On day two, students learned about 3D modelling and printing at the Idea Lab, which is designed to support digital fluency. They also visited Birmingham Film Studios to view a student documentary shoot.  

On the third day, students were given a tour of the Barrett CTI’s interactive labs, technology zones, and maker spaces. They learned about spatial computing, virtual production and motion capture.  

The group had a full day of immersive virtual reality (VR) activities on the fourth and final day. VR for storytelling, VR world building, and VR game experience were among some of the topics explored, complete with a visit to industry partner Zero Latency, a VR experience in Toronto.  

Jenny Hill, director of Skills and School Partnerships at GCS, expressed her appreciation for the opportunity and said students left Humber feeling enlightened, changed, and enthusiastic about their future careers in creative media.

“Learners had a very inspiring experience and have come home with new skills and competencies, but more importantly, inspired with a renewed passion for creative media that will carry forth to the upcoming final project.”  

Hill also shared that working strategically with such an innovative institution has been hugely useful.  

“I have returned with a host of ideas that will direct our college’s skills strategy and approach to innovation and enterprise,” said Hill.

Find out more by visiting the Faculty of Media & Creative Arts website.