News and Media

Published: Dec 31, 2010

Thirteen hours before SCAD revelers ushered in the New Year in Savannah and Atlanta -  and seven hours prior to Bonne Année at the SCAD campus in Lacoste, France - SCAD Hong Kong joined the city in celebrating New Year's Eve with one of the world's grandest fireworks displays along the Hong Kong waterfront.

The $1 million display, designed to culminate in a four-minute long pyrotechnic dragon dancing over the Hong Kong skyline, thrilled the city's residents and growing crowds of tourists - and, for the SCAD community, proclaimed and celebrated the early successes of SCAD's fourth and latest location.

It was only last October when Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang stood with SCAD President Paula Wallace to ring the ceremonial bell marking the official launch of the SCAD Hong Kong campus at the extensively restored and adapted North Kowloon Magistracy Building. Since that time, SCAD Hong Kong has:

• Successfully completed its first quarter. A total of 141 students started their first day of classes at SCAD Hong Kong in September 2010 - most of whom came from Hong Kong and the U.S., but who also represented more than a dozen other countries, including the Philippines, Bahrain and the U.K.
• Launched 14 new undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including programs in animation, interactive design and game development, motion media design, photography and visual effects.
• Become an established presence in the Hong Kong arts community, with well-attended exhibitions at its Moot Gallery, a student project documenting the local Sham Shui Po district, guest lectures and other efforts.
• Nurtured collaborative projects with American Greetings, Yves Saint Laurent and other partners, continuing the SCAD legacy of creative collaboration with outside partners in art, design and fashion.

What's more, the SCAD Hong Kong campus is already emerging as a magnet for Asian students pursuing creative careers in art and design.

New student enrollment for winter quarter at SCAD Hong Kong is up. Meanwhile, more and more Chinese students are enrolling in SCAD at its Savannah and Atlanta locations and in the university's eLearning program - an increase that may be attributed to the increased visibility of SCAD's presence Hong Kong. Enrollment of Chinese students in SCAD Savannah, Atlanta and eLearning increased more than 60 percent.

In China, the dragon symbolizes power, boldness and perseverance. All are qualities in vivid display at SCAD Hong Kong - where SCAD leaders and faculty continue to create the first campus dedicated exclusively to art and design in Asia's World City and the leading site for the study of digital media in Asia. Beginning today at 11a.m., whether in French, English or Cantonese, say Happy New Year to SCAD! We have much to be grateful for!