[Sponsored Article] Open Day is almost here. On 13 August, prospective students can tour the vibrant campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and explore the university’s dynamic courses. The event takes place at the former North Kowloon Magistracy Building, 292 Tai Po Road in Sham Shui Po. Prospective students can register online . Attendees will experience student life and discover SCAD’s unique and rigorous academic programmes, which embody the university’s mission to prepare talented students for professional careers. “We are the only university in Hong Kong focused exclusively on art and design,” says Dr. David Pugh, vice president, SCAD Hong Kong. “SCAD offers the Asian region’s largest concentration of degree programmes in 14 distinct disciplines. Each curriculum, whether undergraduate or postgraduate, is structured around a comprehensive knowledge set and range of abilities, from concept to application. We ensure SCAD students are ready and able to put their ideas into practice in their careers.” SCAD’s comprehensive degrees align with booming Asian industries. Programmes include animation, advertising, fashion, fashion marketing and management, graphic design, illustration, interactive design and game development, interior design, luxury and fashion management, motion media design, painting, photography, sequential art, and visual effects. In all areas of study, SCAD emphasises the benefit of professional exposure. Through the Collaborative Learning Center (CLC), SCAD students partner with leading Hong Kong businesses and brands on real-world projects, ideating innovative solutions to design challenges while refining career-focused collaborative skills. “As students engage in these projects, they develop aptitudes that are essential for professional success after graduation,” Pugh says. “They see the importance of adaptive thinking, effective communication, efficient management, and creative problem-solving.” A truly global learning environment underscores the SCAD education. In addition to Hong Kong, SCAD offers locations in the U.S. (Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia) and Lacoste, France. SCAD offers the same tuition rate at each campus, encouraging students to travel between locations and experience all SCAD has to offer. Students experience the fusion of ancient heritage and Western influence within Asia’s World City; immerse themselves in the metropolitan scene of Atlanta, the ninth largest media market in the U.S.; explore the historical and cultural abundance of Savannah, America’s first planned city and one of the most admired urban designs in the world; and absorb centuries of artistic inspiration in the sweeping Provencal vistas and medieval structures of Lacoste. “Across all SCAD locations, students benefit from a qualified and credentialed faculty that champions student success in the classroom and beyond,” adds Pugh. “It is our philosophy to emphasise learning through discovery in a student-centric environment where individual attention is assured.” SCAD provides an extensive array of career guidance and support for both students and graduates through the office of career and alumni success (CAS). Throughout the year, CAS hosts employer visits, curates workshops on topics including portfolio design and résumé writing, and works with students to define their career goals. In addition, SCAD maintains an online job portal that is regularly updated with hundreds of job openings and internship opportunities in creative industries. “SCAD maintains a private, growing database of employers throughout the world to further assist in connecting students and alumni with good career opportunities,” Pugh says. This proactive support has propelled SCAD Hong Kong graduates into positions including concept designer for Walt Disney Imagineering, digital content specialist for Ogilvy & Mather, trend and surface technical designer for Kids II, and associate with Handel Architects. An impressive 98 percent of 2015 SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 10 months of graduation. “Open Day is an ideal opportunity to explore our outstanding facilities and meet admissions staff, faculty members, and current students,” Pugh says. “Interested parties can get information about applications, financial aid, and eligibility for scholarships.” For prospective applicants who attended secondary school in Hong Kong, the basic requirements for admission include satisfactory scores in the DSE (Diploma of Secondary Education) or equivalent. Sound proficiency in English is expected. Tuition fees can be paid in Hong Kong or U.S. currency. Local students can apply for government grants and low-interest loans, and they may also be eligible for scholarships. Since 2010, SCAD has funded nearly HK$42 million in scholarships.