Dare to be Digital spreads to Scandinavia

This year’s Dare to be Digital will be open to students from Scandinavian nations thanks to new funding.

The money, obtained through the Scottish Government and its links with the British Council and Norwegian School of Information Technology, will allow students from Norway, Denmark and Sweden to join in the competition. Students from India and China can already participate thanks to similar deals made in previous years.

Teams of four are encouraged to apply, upon which they’ll be joined by a Scottish student during the ten week challenge taking place this summer.

“The international scope of this project has already built up a network of relationships in India and China," said culture minister Fiona Hyslop.

"Extending the reach of the project into continental Europe will further enhance Scotland’s digital reputation amongst overseas universities. It also provides an excellent platform for students to share knowledge as well as receiving mentoring from video games experts in Scotland.”

Professor Bernard King CBE, principal and vice-chancellor of Abertay University, added: “We are greatly encouraged by and grateful for the Scottish Government’s support. Participation by teams from China, India and Scandinavia will further highlight the international profile not only of Dare to be Digital but also Abertay as the UK’s first centre for excellence in computer games education, and Scotland as a leading player in the global computer games and interactive entertainment industry.

“Diversity encourages enhanced innovation and creativity, and we are sure that the involvement of even more international students this year will create an even richer experience for all the contestants. In addition, the industry mentors and judges will enjoy seeing at first hand an even wider and more impressive array of talent from different countries.”