~A
first-of-its-kind initiative integrating industry leaders into Arena
Animation’s core learning, setting a new benchmark for career-focused education
in the AVGC sector ~

Mumbai,
April 23, 2026 : Arena Animation,
a pioneer in animation, gaming, visual effects, and digital media education and
a training brand of Aptech Limited, successfully launched its Academic Advisory
Board in Mumbai, marking a significant step towards strengthening
industry-academia collaboration in India’s AVGC-XR and creative sectors.

The
initiative was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with 7 industry professionals, underscoring Arena Animation’s
commitment to integrating real-world expertise into the academic journeys of
its learners. Launched alongside the new academic season, this move is aimed at
ensuring that Arena Animation’s learners are equipped with realistic, relevant,
and future-ready knowledge; that is aligned with evolving industry expectations.

Designed
as a periodic engagement, the Academic Advisory Board will play a crucial role
in mentoring students, validating curriculum frameworks, and introducing the
latest tools, technologies, and workflows into the learning experience.

The
board comprises Mr. Jayakumar, Founder, KYNZO Media Group, Mr. P. C.
Sanath, Co-founder, Firefly Creative Studio, Mr. Naveen Paul, Founder
and Creative Head, NYVFXWAALA, Mr. Prateek Sethi, Founder and Creative
Director, Trip Creative Services, Mr. Pradipto Sengupta, Head of CFX,
DreamWorks Animation, Ms. Jayanti Mahapatra, Creative-Tech People Leader,
and Ms. Rituparna Sarkar, Founder & Creative Director, Visual Sarkarsm
and Co-founder, Animators Guild India and key internal stakeholders.
Collectively, they bring deep expertise across VFX, design, creative direction,
intellectual property, and emerging technologies, offering students a
well-rounded perspective of the industry landscape.

The
initiative aligns closely with Arena Animation’s core philosophy, Learn from
the Leader, empowering students to gain first-hand exposure to industry
practices. The board will contribute insights on emerging trends, skill
requirements, and the future of the AVGC-XR sector inputs that will play a key
role in shaping Arena Animation’s programs in alignment with the evolving
industry needs. The engagement will extend through periodic interventions,
mentorship sessions and curriculum alignment.

Commenting
on the development, Mr. Sandip Weling, Chief Business Officer, Global Retail
Business, Aptech Limited, and Brand Custodian, Arena Animation said, “At
Arena Animation, our priority has always been to stay closely aligned with the
evolving needs of the industry. The Academic Advisory Board is a natural
extension of this vision. By bringing together some of the finest minds from
across the media and entertainment ecosystem, we aim to ensure that our
curriculum remains relevant, forward-looking, and validated by industry
experts. This initiative is about maximising value for our students through
direct access to industry insights, practices, and expectations.”

He
further added, “The ‘Learn from the Leader’ philosophy
is not just a campaign for us. It is a commitment. Through this Academic
Advisory Board, we are embedding industry expertise directly into the learning
journey. Students will benefit from periodic interactions, practical exposure,
and insights into how the industry is evolving. This initiative will serve as a
strong differentiator for Arena Animation and further strengthen our
positioning as a career-focused, industry-driven education brand.”

The
initiative is aimed to strengthen Arena Animation’s industry first positioning
while reinforcing its commitment to building a future-ready talent pool
equipped with the right skills, exposure, and confidence required to succeed in
the burgeoning creative economy.

ABOUT
ARENA ANIMATION

Arena
Animation is a pioneer, trendsetter, and global leader in Media &
Entertainment education. Since its inception in 1996, Arena Animation has
trained over 4,50,000 students globally through its extensive network of centers.

Arena
Animation offers industry-relevant courses in Animation, VFX, Gaming, Digital,
AR/VR, and Multimedia, empowering students to build global careers in the
rapidly evolving creative industries. The curriculum is supported by top-tier
faculty, global partnerships, and cutting-edge learning tools. Arena
Animation’s students are placed in leading studios and companies such as DNEG,
Rockstar Games, Zebu Animation, Green Gold Animation, ILM, NY VFXWALA, Network
18, Digitoonz, and more across the Media & Entertainment landscape.