In an official press release, game publishing giant Electronic Arts has announced that it will be granting US$ 1 million to the Masters of Digital Media program in the Great Northern Way Campus in Canada. Following a recourse of actions to further the games industry and market in the region, EA will also be focusing on bringing in the next generation of game and interactive media developers.

The grant will serve as funds to improve the program and adapting it to the trends of the industry.

Graduates of the program normally receive a seal approved by four of the region's most major institutions: University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia Institute of Technology and the Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design. But now it seems they are more likely to receive more than just that.

"Our goal is to help create an innovative educational environment that will lure talented people from around the world to the Great Northern Way Campus," said Paul Lee, President of EA Worldwide Studios. Electronic Arts hopes to invest in the future of the industry by providing the means for students to develop the skills and knowledge for future game design.

In addition to being an endowment, the grant will also serve as a means for providing scholarships to the visionary thinkers deserving of the chance. EA will also be providing paid internships at an - as yet - unidentified development studio within the multi-studio company, offer students mentoring programs and even staff the lecturers and teachers from the company's executives.