GCM launches virtual exchange program with HdM Germany

For over a decade, students and faculty from FCAD and Hochschule der Medien (HdM) have participated in international exchange programs spanning courses in graphic design, communications, print technologies and innovative creative entrepreneurship. With students unable to travel in light of the global health pandemic, the School of Graphic Communications Management (GCM) and HdM have swiftly recalibrated. This summer, HdM students will be able to engage with FCAD’s creative ecosystem and take courses focused on: user-focused graphic design, asset management, accessibility, sustainable packaging and eBook production. Not wanting students to miss out on this incredible cross-cultural learning experience, they revised the program for virtual delivery. 

“GCM's Spring/Summer intensive courses are a great option for inbound exchange students that want to study abroad but cannot commit to a full semester away,” said GCM chair, Jason Lisi. “Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the university made the difficult decision to suspend in-person student exchange and also to move the Spring/Summer Semester online. With some creativity and planning, GCM was able to adapt quickly and pivot five of the six intensive Spring/Summer courses to virtual so that they could still run.”

Eighteen students from HdM are currently enrolled in the Spring/Summer virtual exchange program; a considerable increase in numbers compared to last year’s four participants who attended the classes in person. 

“Not only are our international exchange partners still able to offer these courses as an option to their students, the virtual nature of these courses offers students greater flexibility,” explained Jason. “As a result, we have exchange students enrolling in courses that they would otherwise not be able to take due to scheduling conflicts and the differences in term end dates.”

FCAD offers virtual exchange in the Fall

With 40 exchange partners in 35 cities around the world, FCAD is planning to offer virtual learning opportunities to international exchange students in the Fall semester. 

“FCAD International is always looking to push the boundaries of innovation and creativity,” shared Sadia Kamran, manager of international development at FCAD. “With travel restrictions and the Fall 2020 exchange semester suspension, our team began to explore the option of offering a virtual exchange to our partners. With their buy-in and keen interest, we are currently in the phase of pre-selecting courses to be offered virtually.”

Earlier this month, Ryerson International announced that the university is suspending the Fall 2020 exchange semester for inbound and outbound students due to the global health pandemic.  

Alongside virtual course offerings, FCAD is looking into ways in which it can deliver an immersive cultural experience for international exchange students. The module, currently being developed by FCAD International, will allow inbound exchange students who are taking virtual FCAD courses to learn about the Canadian creative cultural scene including creative workshops, industry panels, immersive virtual experiences, and other innovative ways to enrich the experience of incoming students at-a-distance and welcome them to FCAD at Ryerson.

FCAD will also expand virtual collaboration opportunities across borders by offering the Global Campus Studio Supercourse (GCS) in both the Fall and Winter semesters and adding more partners. Through GCS, students develop global competencies and skills from collaborating and co-creating with other students in real-time and across time zones. 

In addition, FCAD International is in the process of developing a global learning guide to offer ideas and tips on internationalizing the curriculum. 

For additional information on FCAD International, visit: https://www.torontomu.ca/fcad/international. 

FCAD at Ryerson University

Entering its eighth decade, FCAD is a global centre of media and creative invention. As a disrupter in innovative education, FCAD is dedicated to developing creators with authentic voices who engage directly with creative industries around the world.

With 23 undergraduate and graduate programs that are shaping the future of their fields and tight-knit partnerships around the world, FCAD offers more opportunities to educate the next generation of creative leaders than anywhere else.

Media contact:

Nicole Bartnicki

FCAD at Ryerson University

Coordinator, Marketing and Communications

nicole.bartnicki@torontomu.ca