Computer Graphics World

March 2009 46 design—what it takes to put a game together. "You hear from a number of experts in the field talking about different pieces of those seven steps," says Peerman. In a related endeavor, AMD is working with PETLab, a joint project of G4C and Parsons e New School, to create a game- design curriculum for teens. e curriculum, geared for after- school or workshop applications, will allow students to build their own social-issue games. It will be piloted in five communities this spring. "We want these kids to play around with it, to use it, and let us know what works and what doesn't," says Peerman. "Our intent is to standardize this curriculum and to distribute it open source to anyone running this type of program." In a future step, Peerman would like to see the Foundation contribute technology toward this cause, as well. Currently, she and others are meeting with AMD's own gaming experts to find out what would be the ideal product to optimize this experi- ence for the participants going through the curriculum. "Our ultimate goal is to provide a package to these nonprofit recip- ients whereby they not only get the tool kit and the curriculum, but also get the AMD technol- ogy to run it on," says Peerman. For the most part, participat- ing organizations have the neces- sary hardware available, often ac- quired through donations. As for the software needed to create the games, most use one of two com- mon, basic gaming platforms to create their titles: Gamelab's Gamestar Mechanic (through funding from the MacArthur Foundation) and MIT's Scratch. With limited internal resources in terms of staff and money given today's economic climate, the AMD Foundation is challenged to find the time and funds to grow this initiative. However, Peerman and her group are determined to do so, and are building an internal team of graphics experts and oth- ers who can help champion this program externally. For Peerman and AMD, the benefits of the program add up to something special. "AMD's graphics and processing chips are critical to AMD's success and are a vital part of the gaming space.," she says. "On the other hand, AMD has a long-standing legacy in terms of funding education. When the two pieces came to- gether, it really created an exciting combination." n Karen Moltenbrey is the chief editor for Computer Graphics World. The youth-created Consent! is a world simulation game focused on medi- cal racism in US prisons. City University of Hong Kong is one of eight tertiary institutions funded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region through the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong. A young and dynamic institution, the University aspires to be internationally recognized as a leading university in the Asia-Pacific region through excellence in professional education and applied research. It has a growing international reputation, as evidenced by its surge up the rankings of the world's top 150 universities according to the Times Higher Education Supplement. The mission of the University is to nurture and develop the talents of students and to create applicable knowledge in order to support social and economic advancement. Currently, approximately 26,000 students are enrolled in over 180 programmes ranging from associate degrees to PhD. The medium of instruction is English. Professor/Associate Professor/Assistant Professor (Computer Graphics and Animation) School of Creative Media [Ref. A/562/49] The School of Creative Media was founded in 1998, and since then has developed strengths in cinematic arts, media/cultural studies, computer animation, computer graphics and interactivity. It offers an exciting multi- disciplinary research and teaching environment in which technical and creative faculty collaborate on a variety of projects. Our students are trained in innovation, creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability, and the capacity to integrate theory and practice and technology and the arts. They are also well- equipped to understand the business environments in which media industries operate. The School continues to champion its role as a leader in creative media in Asia. This involves being an intellectual leader, becoming a leading professional education centre for students from the region, and for budding practitioners from the industry. Duties : The appointee is expected to contribute to the development of one of the Expertise Groups in the School - Computer Graphics and Animation. He/She should demonstrate competence in adopting a cross-disciplinary approach in teaching and research in order to contribute creatively and professionally in the School, and for the benefit of the community and industry. In addition to making active contribution to the professional, scholarly and creative realm, the appointee will also be assigned to take up administrative duties which facilitate the development of the School. Requirements : A PhD/MFA degree in related disciplines, and relevant teaching and research experience are required. The appointee should possess strong academic and research profiles in computer graphics and animation. He/She should command literacy in advanced computing and demonstrate potential in developing new research directions and courses within a wide spectrum of technological platforms. He/She is expected to contribute to the teaching of one or more, but not limited to, of the following areas in computer graphics and animation: Animation Theory Graphical Modelling Interactive Animation Hand-drawn Animation Character Animation Rendering Computer Animation Procedural Animation Graphics for Mobile Devices Digital Visual Effects Web Animation For the post of Associate Professor, substantial teaching experience and significant contribution to research are required. Candidates with exceptionally outstanding credentials including a robust research profile may be considered for the post of Professor. Salary and Conditions of Service Remuneration package will be highly competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Initial appointment will be made on a fixed- term gratuity-bearing contract. Fringe benefits include leave, medical and dental schemes, and housing benefit where applicable. (The remuneration package is currently under review.) Information and Application Information about the posts and the University is available at http://www.cityu.edu.hk or from the Human Resources Office, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong [Fax : (852) 2788 1154 or (852) 2788 9334/email : hrojob@cityu.edu.hk]. Please send nomination or application in the form of an application letter enclosing a current curriculum vitae to the Human Resources Office. Applications will be considered until positions are filled. Please quote the reference of the post in the application and on the envelope. The University reserves the right to consider late applications and nominations, and not to fill the positions. Personal data provided by applicants will be used for recruitment and other employment- related purposes. CGW_HALFvert:CGW_HALFvert 3/3/09 11:34 AM Page 1

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