Pune, May 12, 1999

National Multimedia Resource Centre (NMRC) of C-DAC is set to host the first ever "Low Cost Multimedia Creations" Exhibition from 14.05.1999 to 16.05.1999 at NMRC, Agricultural College Campus, Shivaji Nagar, Pune, during 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.

NMRC has, among other activities, set for itself a mission to propagate multimedia among the masses. This exhibition is an effort towards creating awareness among the masses about the emerging multimedia technology and its usefulness in day to day life.

This exhibition will feature the demonstration of various multimedia applications and creations, poster displays of a rich collection of multimedia decorative designs, rendering of Dnyaneshwari, multimedia education, multimedia products and services. On this occasion interested persons will have an opportunity to buy the newly launched multimedia CD ROM 'SHAILI' - a rich collection of computer generated decorative designs and Dynaneshwari CD ROM - a multimedia rendering of the Bhagwad Gita in Marathi, priced at Rs. 1,500/ - and Rs. 1,000/- respectively.

While announcing the start of the exhibition Shri. R.K. Arora, Executive Director, C-DAC, said "C-DAC, in its activities on multimedia multilingual technologies has to address the needs of people at grass root level."

Multimedia Education

On this occasion Shri. Arora also announced the launch of a program - "Low Cost Multimedia Creation Education". This education program is primarily designed to help people to apply multimedia knowledge in various spheres of their activities; in particular to help people who wish to adopt this in their profession.

The students who desire to go through this course need not have any knowledge of using computers even though SSC qualification is preferred. Students will be admitted to the course on the basis of their performance in an interview during which their awareness and inclination towards Arts will be tested.

These courses will give an opportunity to people having an artistic bent of mind but working in different profession and who want to develop additional skills using multimedia. Three different courses are offered.

"Low Cost Multimedia Creation" - a 9 week part-time certificate course, which is useful for Video Shooting Professionals, Photographers, Photo Lab Technicians, Event Managers, Exhibition Organizers, Teachers, Secretarial Staff, Facilitators, House Wives and anybody who is willing to offer low cost multimedia services. The course fee is fixed at Rs. 5,000/-.

"Applied Computer Arts" is a 9 weeks, part-time Certificate Course that is useful for students and people who are in publishing field. This course fee is fixed at Rs. 5,000/-.

"Diploma in Advanced Computer Arts (DACA)" - a 21 weeks full-time course which is designed for Fine Artists, Designers, Video Film Producers and Media Professionals. This course has already been very popular and well accepted by the industry. The course fee is fixed at Rs. 35,000/-. This course is being offered by the Authorized Training Centres of C-DAC in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore.

Multimedia Authoring Solutions and Services

NMRC will also be providing Multimedia Authoring Solutions and Services (MASS). The pre-authored templates, which are designed to suit specific topics, can be used in multimedia titles. The basic authoring structure does not change, the users need only to integrate the contents. The ready made template has the predefined places created for integrating various forms of information like audio, video, images and text. A Pre-authored Multimedia Album Template can cater to the various applications such as Multimedia Documentation, Multimedia Compilation, Multimedia Cataloging, Multimedia Archival, and Multimedia Portfolio. A collection of a variety of background is created to giving attractive look to the photographs and video clips in the presentation. Such pre-authored templates will be useful to Video Shooting Professionals, photographers, Photo Lab technicians, Event Managers, Exhibition Organizers, Teachers, Secretarial Staff, Facilitators.

In recognition of C-DAC's technical expertise and creative excellence in Multimedia, the Department of Electronics (DoE), Government of India has designated the Multimedia Creations Team of C-DAC as the National Multimedia resource Centre as per its action plan for setting up the National Information Infrastructure.