Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) is partnering with University of York to enhance future-ready disciplines such as Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR), filmmaking, and design. The collaboration involves CoStar Live Lab, a research lab led by the University of York. The partnership will focus on dual-degree pathways, joint curriculum development, startup incubation, and immersive learning experiences designed to nurture India’s next generation of creative technologists and storytellers, according to a release.

IICT is a National Centre of Excellence dedicated exclusively to the AVGC-XR sector established by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in collaboration with FICCI and CII. The institute is expected to follow the same template as the IITs and IIMs in India and operate as a world-class education and training hub for students who aspire to be professionals in the AVGC-XR sector.

Dr Vishwas Deoskar, CEO of IICT, said, “This MoU represents not just an academic partnership but a shared vision for the future of creative education.”

Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice Chancellor, University of York, added, “The creative industries are global in nature, and this partnership enables students in both India and the UK to benefit from shared expertise, cutting-edge research, and real-world innovation.”

The partnership, spans a five-year term and aims to significantly enhance opportunities for students and professionals in the AVGC-XR space.