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RIYADH: The Saudi Esports Academy celebrated the first group of graduates from its master’s and diploma programs on Tuesday night, with the achievements of more than 300 students recognized at a graduation ceremony held at Boulevard Riyadh City.

The academy, the e-learning platform hosted by the Saudi Esports Federation, certified graduates from its master’s degree in esports business, as well as nine different diploma courses.

The graduates can now seek careers in the industry that would assist in ��������’s ambition to becoming a global hub for gaming. The Kingdom’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, launched last year by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to create 39,000 jobs and boost the nation’s GDP by $13.3 billion by 2030.

Ibrahim Al-Sheddi, chief shared services officer at the Saudi Esports Federation, and the chairman of the academic committee at the academy, said: “Celebrating the first batch of graduates from the Saudi Esports Academy’s master’s degree and diploma programs is a milestone moment for the academy, the Saudi Esports Federation, and ��������’s gaming and esports ambitions.

“Be it skills acquired to become professional players, broadcasters, project managers or any other area of the esports ecosystem, our Saudi Esports Academy graduates are primed for success in their chosen careers.

“Importantly, our graduates also now have an outstanding opportunity to help ensure the aims of ��������’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy are fully fulfilled. In addition, these graduates also give inspiration to the next batch of Saudi Esports Academy students.”

The nine-month master’s in esports business, which included industry internships within its program, had a total of 10 graduates. The master’s degree was run in conjunction with Spain’s ISDE Law and Business School.

Several diploma courses were offered: Coaching and Esports Team Management, Project Management in Esports, Broadcast Manager for Esports Events, Referee and Esports Competition Manager, Become a Pro at PUBG Mobile, Become a Pro at Rocket League, Become a Pro at Dota 2, Become a Pro at Rainbow Six, and Become a Pro at Valorant.

All the courses, except Become a Pro at Valorant, were run in conjunction with technology company GGTech. The Become a Pro at Valorant course was run in conjunction with the Gen.G Global Academy.

“The graduation of the first educational batch is a momentous occasion, and we thank the Saudi Esports Academy enormously. There is no other hub in the world that offers this many training options, and the feedback we have received from students has been hugely positive,” said Mario Perez, CEO at GGTech MENA.

“Everything in each of the courses offered has been dedicated to ensuring the students become the best players they possibly can be in their chosen games, or the best that they can be in their chosen esports ecosystem pursuit,” he added.

“Esports and gaming is a thriving industry and the courses offer a — sometimes unique — pathway. It is an incredible opportunity. With regards to the master’s degree, being able to deliver internships with international companies was an important part of the course and has equipped students with a working knowledge of the industry as they prepare to begin their careers.”

Einas Ahmed, a graduate from the master’s in esports business course, said: “I’m very proud to receive my master’s degree in esports business. It was a nine-month course, and we began by studying business management overall before progressing into esports and video games and learning how we can merge the business-management field in gaming and esports.

“I want a career in esports because it has been my passion since I was five years old. The skills we have learned will help with the business of esports and investment in this sector. We can bring a lot of companies here to �������� and a lot of investment while building the esports ecosystem. �������� can become a hub for esports and video games, which is what I did my thesis on.”