The Institute of Art, Design & Technology’s (IADT) Barry Dignam has been elected as the new GEECT regional chair and to the executive council of CILECT, the world’s largest association of film and television schools.
A celebrated filmmaker and educator with a career spanning over two decades, Dignam is known for his leadership within the film education landscape as well as in FilmEU, a European university alliance dedicated to advancing creative education.
Attending the 2024 CILECT Congress at the Communication University of China (CUC) in Beijing, Dignam and Jean Rice led the Irish and IADT delegation.
“This is a great opportunity to continue the work of connecting European film schools and navigating the challenges and opportunities of technological change, increasing diversity and sustainability in our industry,” Dignam said.
“I look forward to collaborating with colleagues to ensure the growth and inclusivity of our global community.”
Dignam received 40 votes compared his opponent Jyoti Mistry from the Valand Academy (HDK), Sweden who received 28 votes.
His election as the new Regional Chair of GEECT, the European chapter of CILECT, also positions IADT and Ireland at the forefront of film and media education in Europe.
CILECT represents more than 186 film and media schools from 63 countries on six continents, representing more than 11,000 teachers and staff who train roughly 90,000 students annually and communicate with a network of more than one and a half million alumni.
This year’s congress, themed Artificial Intelligence and Film Education, brought together over 100 film schools from more than 50 countries to discuss the role of AI in shaping the future of creative education.
Dignam and Rice also actively engaged in discussions exploring AI’s potential impact on media education methodologies, curriculum development, and cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Keynote speakers, including Creative Technologist and Cinematographer Saloni Shukla, emphasized the importance of balancing technological advancements with the cultivation of core human skills like critical thinking and creativity.
An IADT spokesperson stated: “As a proud member of international alliances such as FilmEU, ELIA, and CILECT, we values the strength of global networks in enhancing the quality and reach of its educational programmes.”
“These partnerships not only support knowledge exchange and research but also create diverse opportunities for students and staff to collaborate across borders.”
