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ACM Expands International Initiatives With First SIGGRAPH Conference in AsiaSINGAPORE, Dec 08, 2008 (ASCRIBE NEWS via COMTEX) -- ACM SIGGRAPH launches its first conference in Asia with a comprehensive program of technical talks, a Computer Animation Festival, a computer art gallery, and an exhibition of new technologies by leading international software, design, and educational enterprises. SIGGRAPH Asia (http://www.SIGGRAPH.org/asia2008/), which runs from December 10-13 at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Center, is a major initiative of ACM SIGGRAPH and an integral part of ACM's commitment to provide high-quality technical activities and programs to computing communities outside the US. ACM SIGGRAPH's goal is to mirror the model of its successful North American conference with a rich technical program and diverse exhibition that cover every aspect of leading-edge computer graphics, animation, and interactive techniques. "As the world's largest international computing society, ACM plays a significant role in providing forums for the presentation of the highest quality research and the exchange of ideas that advance innovation in computer graphics and interactive techniques," said John R. White, ACM's Chief Executive Officer. "SIGGRAPH's ambitious plan to create a conference that incorporates the favorable mix of elements from SIGGRAPH in North America is an instrumental component of ACM's expanding international outreach." ACM President Wendy Hall hailed SIGGRAPH Asia as a mecca for the region's rapidly growing computer graphics community. "We have witnessed the increasing enthusiasm and interest in computer graphics and digital media industries in this part of the world, and we want to welcome these researchers, practitioners, and entrepreneurs to ACM's extensive array of programs and services," said Hall, a professor of computer science at the University of Southampton, UK. Hall cited SIGGRAPH Asia's impressive roster of presenters, panelists, and creative artists as evidence of the growing importance and success of digital media technology in the region. "This conference has attracted papers that set the technical standard for excellence in the field. But it also offers a wide variety of educational, networking, and interactive opportunities as well as a Computer Animation Festival (CAF) with special effects screenings from feature films and games. This year, China, Japan, and Korea contributed close to half of the entries at the festival," she noted. Invited speakers at SIGGRAPH Asia include Don Greenberg of Cornell University, who is recognized as one of the pioneers in computer graphics and an award-winning researcher; and Rob Cook of Pixar Animation Studios, the first industry professional to receive an Oscar for SIGGRAPH Asia also features a job fair to connect computer graphics professionals with potential employers and an art gallery showcasing work in all media - including "hybrid" formats such as text-literature collaborations, ubiquitous sounds, and zero-gravity space art, as well as an emerging technologies preview video. Another SIGGRAPH Asia highlight is the continent's first exhibition devoted exclusively to computer graphics and interactive techniques, featuring hardware, services, and software from some of the best-known companies in the world. This three-day event includes exhibitor tech talks that enable attendees to engage industry experts and learn about pproduct updates, and hear hands-on presentations that introduce the latest developments in product innovation. About ACM ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery (http://www.acm.org/), is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting computing educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking. About ACM SIGGRAPH SIGGRAPH, the ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques (http://www.siggraph.org/) is an interdisciplinary community of researchers, artists, developers, filmmakers, scientists and other professionals who share an interest computer graphics and interactive techniques. SIGGRAPH provides information to the computer graphics community through its annual SIGGRAPH conference as well as symposia, chapters in cities throughout the world, awards, grants, educational resources, online resources, a public policy program, traveling art show, and the SIGGRAPH Video Review. - - - - ((AScribe - The Public Interest Newswire / http://www.ascribe.org)) |