MUMBAI: DQ Entertainment has been invited by the Department of Information Technology, Government of West Bengal (GoWB) to develop production facilities in the city of Kolkata.
A memorandum of understanding to this effect has been signed between the parties. This is in line with DQE’s strategy to develop and train a quality workforce for international standards and meet the manpower requirements for its current and future projects.
The IT Department of GoWB, through WEBEL (the West Bengal Government Agency responsible for promoting the software and electronics industry in the state), has already provided rental premises for such production facilities and hi-end in-house training to DQE. The animation training scheme will be run and managed jointly by WEBEL and DQE.
DQE currently provides quality training to its employees in traditional and digital animation and gaming but also has a large requirement for hi-end trained manpower to work in Kolkata and its other production facilities in India.
It is expected that the state-of-the-art production facility, which will house production and training staff, will go live by April 2008.
An Animation Academy within the facility will provide on-the-job training to the local talent and offer employment contracts within DQE for the successful candidates.
DQE has agreed to continue to enhance the international-standard education and training to existing students in the Academy.
DQE also intends to explore the possibility of starting hi-end staff training facilities in other parts of West Bengal.
DQ Entertainment chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti said, "We have been watching tremendous growth in IT&ES industry in West Bengal and the extremely pro-active role played by political and Governmental leadership for this growth. We have joined hands with IT Department, GoWB, through WEBEL to start hi-end animation and gaming productions at Kolkata. We knew of the availability of quality talent in the Eastern region and will be able to hone them into world class quality work force quickly, as part of our ongoing expansion."
IT Minister of Govt. of West Bengal Dr Debesh Das said, "DQE is probably the largest animation company in the world and also associated with global leaders in the animation industry. Consequently, DQE’s entry in Kolkata is a major breakthrough—not only in boosting the growth of IT industry but also bringing a high quality training facility in animation in this part of the country. DQE’s entry in Kolkata will open a new chapter and help to create a state-of-the-art Animation Park in the city, very shortly."
