The UK-China Collaboration on Animation Education, one of the nine on-going Knowledge Economy Partnership projects developed by British Council in China, reached a new and deeper level in this final phase with a five day-long event in April in Hangzhou, East China. The objectives of the collaboration project were to facilitate discussions between policy makers, practitioners, and professionals from China and the UK, and build up long-term and sustainable partnerships at various levels and in different formats among government, Higher Education Institutions and the animation industry of the two countries.

British Council facilitated a UK delegation comprised of 12 animation education experts from 6 UK higher education institutions who were invited to attend the ninth China International Cartoon & Animation Festival in Hangzhou from 26 April to 30 April. CICAF is regarded as the largest and most influential event in animation across China. A series of UK-themed events took place during this week-long event, including the UK-China Animation Education Forum, the International Undergraduate Illustration & Comics Exhibition, and return visits to four key universities located in Hangzhou.

This event marks the forth phase of this joint animation education project between UK and China, and it is built on the success of the first three phases of the programme. Phase one took place in 2011 where a forum was organised; phase two, in Aril/May 2012, a series of UK-themed activities took place as an important part of the 8th CICAF, including Sino-UK Education Forum on Animation Talents Development, UK Higher Education Promotional Lecture, Screenings of the Best Short Films from the UK University Students, Animation Education Expo as well as visits to local animation organizations. In November 2012, a reciprocal visit from Hangzhou to the UK was arranged.

Please refer to the enclosed document for more details.