Sony Computer Entertainment Australia has announced the PlayStation First Academic Partnership Programme. The initiative establishes a venture between higher education organisations and PlayStation to offer students opportunities to access game development resources.

　　The Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) is the first Australian partner to be selected for the programme. As part of the global initiative, AIE will receive six PlayStation Vita development kits for classes and incorporate the subject of developing specifically for PlayStation devices into its syllabus.

　　"The opportunity to work with the PlayStation suite of platforms ensures our students are getting industry relevant skills to step confidently into the video game development sector,” said Neil Boyd, director of business development and marketing at AIE.

　　“The students are eagerly anticipating the access they will get to this leading platform, and having it built into the heart of their curriculum really adds to the possibilities for their future careers.”

　　The programme will be available across AIE's campuses in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. PlayStation First offers platform-specific licenses for academic development including PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, as well as software agreements for PlayStation Move and PlayStation Mobile.

　　Additional information on the PlayStation First Academic Partnership Programme can be found on its website.

　　For an insight to the next generation of Australian game developers, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.