In a bid to promote international exchange programs at Sias, the Dean of the School of Art & Design, Liu Shisheng, along with representatives from the International Cooperation and Exchange Department, and the Human Resources Department traveled to Thiruvananthapuram, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, to deepen ties with Toonz Animation India.

During the visit, the delegation toured the company's animation studio and animation academy, learned about India’s animation industry and production processes, and had some classroom experience with regard to training courses. Both sides talked about the possibility of introducing animation into Sias' school curriculum, as well as the setting up of an animation laboratory, Sias teacher training, student experience and practice, content building, and the exchange of professionals.

The CEO of Toonz Animation India, Jayakumar Prabhakaran Nair, when briefing the delegation, spoke of the possibilities for the animation market in Central China and in particular, Sias International University. He spoke of his visit to Sias in 2015 and said it had left a lasting impression on him. He said that he hoped that the two sides could continue with the exchanges and develop a deeper relationship for cooperation.

Toonz Animation India was founded in 1999 and has clients from across the world including Disney, BBC, Marvel, Nickelodeon, Netflix, Google, Sony, Universal Studios, and Paramount Studios. It is located in India's largest Information Technology park, Kerala'sTechnopark. The company is divided into an animation studio and an animation academy that has trained thousands of students. In September 2015, Sias International University had signed a friendship and cooperation agreement with Toonz, focusing on Sias' School of Art & Design. They hoped to offer animation majors in the future, partly provided by Toonz, including the professional training of teachers at Sias. It would also include internships for students who major in animation from Sias.

CEO of Toonz Animation India, Jayakumar Prabhakaran Nair, with the Sias delegation

The Sias delegation visits Toonz Animation academy

The Sias delegation visits Toonz Animation studio

The dean of Sias' School of Art & Design, Liu Shisheng, with the CEO of Toonz Animation India

The Sias delegation at Toonz Animation India