Bahrain's first College of Media Production will be opened at Ahlia University next year, it has been revealed.

In preparation to the establishment of the college, courses on digital photography and video production have already started at the university's media production centre.

The centre, the first-of-its-kind in Bahrain, will be upgraded into a full-fledged college by early next year, said centre head Art Jones.

'The centre is being equipped with state-of-the-art equipment worth $2 million (BD756,000),' he told the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

Jones said two free workshops for the public on digital photography and video production, held at the university last month, had met with an overwhelming response.

'Heads of corporate communications from various organisations and media people attended,' he added.

Based on the response, it was decided to start courses on digital photography and video production.

'Classes have just started with 15 students for each programme, and it will finish in June,' said Jones.

'We shall launch two additional courses in editing/ graphic design as well as TV production early next year.

'All these courses will be consolidated under the umbrella of the new college.'

Currently, the university has four colleges - banking and finance, information technology, medical sciences, and art and fine arts.

The new college will offer courses in photojournalism, script writing, broadcast TV journalism including news broadcasting, graphic design, post production, animation, acting, and documentary and feature film production.

'We shall soon establish links with international broadcasting groups,' said Jones.

'Our department is already providing hands-on support to the interior design department.

'We also provide conceptual and technical support to students who pursue their master's programme in mass communications.'

Internationally qualified and experienced trainers are being recruited for the new college, said Jones.

Film and communication specialist from the US, Aaron Wilde has joined the faculty to head the video production department.

The media production centre has been established at the university's campus at the Gosi Complex, Hoora.

Among the equipment already imported are six professional cameras, post production suite and photo studio sets.

The sound-proof studio has facilities for audio recording, narration and voice-over for documentaries.

Another attraction of the centre will be an Internet broadcasting unit, and a high definition multi-media projector to screen the students' production. The screening is done at the theatre, which has been taken over by the university from the Bahrain Cinema Company.-TradeArabia News Service