Academy of Interactive Entertainment

The Academy of Interactive Entertainment, also known as the AIE, is an educational institution in Watson, Australia founded by John De Margheriti. John De Margheriti is the chairman and CEO of AIE. He is an entrepreneur in the Australian game development industry known for his generosity, passion, and motivation towards people. He is also best known as the former and founder CEO of BigWorld Pty Ltd, a company that is the inventor of a massive online game multiplayer. AIE was founded in 1996 after a division with Australia’s first AAA Computer game development studios, Micro Forté Pty Ltd. This studio was co-founded by John in 1985, known for Fallout Tactics, Enemy Infestation, and Hot wheels Bash Arena.

The Academy of Interactive Entertainment is Australia’s most awarded game design, 3D animation, and visual FX educator. It aims to promote the creative digital sector through innovative ideas and industry partnerships. The dynamic teaching pioneered the development of game qualifications with a particular focus on specialist game qualifications. AIE courses delivered by experienced industry teachers strive to make the learning environment fun and extraordinary. Lessons crafted creatively focuses on practicality and career.

Some of the most important awards won by the organization and students alike include the Australian Small Training Provider of the Year Award and the ACT Small Training Provider of the Year Award. The Academy of Interactive Entertainment won the former award in 2007 and 2016, the latter in 2002, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2016, and 2020. 

The growth of AIE has stretched to 7 campuses in Australia and America. The Vision of this Academy is to be the best computer games, 3D animation, and visual effects educator in Australia and the world through “innovative courses and industry development”. Its mission is to be a catalyst for interactive entertainment and related industries by building and producing industry-ready graduates. A world-class education achieves this goal at the Academy concerning 3D animation, visual effects, and game development strategies. The primary objective of AIE is to provide complete commercial courses for public access that are accredited and sponsored. In addition, the not-for-profit Academy also provides incubator courses to meet industry demand. Appropriate industry providers monitor these courses to promote the growth of regional industries and foster employment opportunities. 

• The Academy of Interactive Entertainment has strong connections with industries and industry suppliers. The students and teachers conduct research in collaboration with related industries to ensure commercial development. These collaborations foster industry networks in Australia and abroad. 
• The courses offered by this academy include 3D Animation & VFX for Film, Game Art & Animation, Game Programming, Game Design, and Production. Creative students transformed into creative artists are passionate about building an environment that creates effects in movies. Furthermore, gaming artists develop processes and create a framework with an aptitude for logic, concerning the functionality of the game.  
• AIE campuses are located in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Seattle and Lafayette. The various campuses located in Australia and America are just perfect spots as all these locations are at the most happening places in the world. The infrastructures attract many creative minds globally because they have been designed with convenience, excellent facilities, and brilliant campuses maintenance. The Academy also takes pride in its Online Campus functioning since 2005 to provide the best training possible for online students. The online campus offers courses that include gaming fundamentals and films, which then qualify students to pursue a career in the gaming and film industries. 
• Teachers train students to establish 3D Animation, Computer Programming, Music, and Film on the campus by offering them a range of support. They mentor students practically and theoretically and educate them to become qualified for industries head-on. 
• The Academy of Interactive Entertainment focuses on promoting and strengthening the development of small businesses, both old and new. An initiative taken by this organization involves networking opportunities and mentoring, along with office accommodation. 
• Assistance and residential accommodation provided to students is an important responsibility taken by the Academy. In this regard, tenants, industry participants, clients, and owners of small businesses are taken care of. 
• Besides providing residential assistance, the Academy of Interactive Entertainment assists graduates of the Academy in their employability. The organization helps students to find work in qualified industries by connecting them with employers for recruitment.  

Career Opportunities:

In the late 90s, John De Margheriti through the Academy of Interactive Entertainment provided start-up funds and support to contribute to the Australian game development industry’s growth. The Game Developer’s Association of Australia (GDAA) and the Australian Game Developers Conference (AGDC) was instrumental in raising the profile of such industries and operating global networks for Australian Studios and AIE graduates. 

To this day, the Academy of Interactive Entertainment continues to advocate for its graduates. Start-up companies and studios of the Academy’s graduates and VFX industry colleagues gain support from the organization. The support extended to them includes that of growing “the independent film industry in Australia through a massive infrastructure investment in setting up new creative industry facilities, financing and producing films; and through establishing a new non-profit higher education provider called AIE Institute”.

Government funding is an important aspect for students and the funding is available for the Academy’s students in this regard. The scholarships available are namely the VIC Government Funding, ACT User Choice Funding, and ACT Skilled Capital Funding. Learners who access VET student loans are protected under two categories: 

• An offer of a place in a similar VET course with another provider without the requirement to pay the other provider any tuition fee for any replacement units of study. This is known as the VET Course Assurance Option.
• A refund of your upfront tuition fees for any unit of study that you commence but do not complete because we ceased to provide the course that the unit of study was part of. This is known as the VET Tuition Fee Repayment Option.

The AIE provides similar refunds and fees protection to students who are learners without access to VET student loans and international students as per the policies.