In a country where medicine and engineering are considered among the few “respectable” fields of work, a new generation is redrawing the lines — literally.
Animation — yes, cartoons — is a budding industry in Bangladesh. Even without formal training programmes, aspiring animators have taught themselves the trade, founded small companies and created a cottage industry that is on the cusp of flourishing.
Early to see the art form’s promise, the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh recently launched a one-semester course in animation. “It has been successful,” said senior lecturer Shipu Moniruzzaman. “So we now plan to offer a minor. If that is successful, then we will offer it as a major.”
This new job creation bodes well in a country where roughly 30% of the country’s population is between the ages of 10 and 24. If the industry takes off, the market could be large, particularly given that Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. As well, Goldman Sachs has named it as one of the “Next Eleven” — a group of emerging economies with promising outlooks for global investors.
Please click on the arrow above to learn more about animation’s draw.
This article was first published in the BBC.com
