Saleh Fareed

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The largest private media arts institute in the world will officially open a new campus in Jeddah in November. This was revealed by Dalia Binladin, the driving force behind the SAE Institute, to be inaugurated on Nov. 17 in Jeddah as part of its expansion plan in 33 countries.



“Through 55 campuses in 30 countries, SAE Institute provides highly specialized one- and two-year certificate and diploma courses in digital animation, film and TV production, audio engineering and multimedia,” said Binladin.



She said the SAE campus in Jeddah will be the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia.



Binladin, 30, herself is a graduate of SAE and Middlesex University, UK. She was exposed to the animation industry in the UAE and the film industries in the UK and Lebanon and has spent the last two years negotiating with the authorities to open the institute in Jeddah.



The new Jeddah campus is a purpose-built facility, featuring world class audio recording consoles and studios, animation labs, motion capture and a fully equipped TV broadcast studio and a green screen.



“What I love about the SAE approach is the emphasis on hands-on practical training,” said Binladin. “There is no better way to learn and future-proof your skills by learning on the actual equipment preferred by the industry.”



As an example, she cites the institute’s new Avid studio, which features equipment that has not yet been released to the industry.



Binladin believes it is important for Arabs generally, and Saudis in particular, to become masters of media. “It’s our culture and our voices and vision that we want to represent. It’s important that young Saudis have the tools and knowledge to create their own content so we don’t leave the way we are presented in other people’s hands.



“But there’s a very strong economical reason for the rapid growth of vocational training for the media sector.



“If you look at the animation and gaming industry worldwide it’s worth billions of dollars. More money is now spent on this than Hollywood spends on movies … and Hollywood spends a lot. Then you throw in at least 300 television stations in the region, and countless radio stations, magazines, and newspapers. It’s not hard to see that this industry offers tremendous employment opportunities for Saudis.”



Enrollment is now open for the first group in November. Initially the institute is providing diploma courses for men only but is hopeful in the near future to provide courses for women.



Binladin said she was also motivated to provide a top quality education for Saudis at home. “The government spends a lot of money sending young Saudis overseas for education. I think we can invest in great facilities and programs here and provide Saudis with training without having to leave their home.”



The SAE Institute was founded in Australia in 1976. Its parent Navitas is a publicly listed education company. There are SAE institutes worldwide and diplomas are issued through the international parent company in Oxford, UK.



In Saudi Arabia, programs are delivered by Binladin educational company Seyada for Creative Arts, which is licensed by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC).