Media College Amsterdam offers vocational programmes in Game Art and Game Development. An afternoon was organised for industry professionals to contribute ideas about the curriculum and give feedback on students' portfolios.
MCA attracted a large group of games professionals, including alumni and other practitioners. The games industry was represented alongside defence and companies working in XR, for example.
The students are generally still young at this stage of their education, mostly 18 or 19. Even so, they had already created full portfolios for review, including school projects and demonstrations of their skills.
They received plenty of useful feedback. I found the standard of the portfolios very high, especially considering these are vocational students who have not yet completed their programmes. The way they prepare for the labour market, through portfolio pitches and contact with industry professionals, gives them an advantage over other vocational students who are not taught these skills.
The afternoon was well organised. Many professionals have contributed to this initiative for several years. It helped that drinks were provided after the pitches: a great opportunity to catch up and network with one another, students and lecturers.