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Saudi Esports Academy celebrates first graduates

Saudi Esports Academy celebrates first graduates
Saudi Esports Academy welcomes its first batch of graduates (SEF)
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Updated 09 August 2023

Saudi Esports Academy celebrates first graduates

Saudi Esports Academy celebrates first graduates
  • Special ceremony at Boulevard Riyadh City on Tuesday night saw 300 new graduates
  • 10 earned master鈥檚 degrees in esports business, with the others gaining qualifications in diploma courses offered

RIYADH: The Saudi Esports Academy celebrated the first group of graduates from its master鈥檚 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鈥檚 degree in esports business, as well as nine different diploma courses.

The graduates can now seek careers in the industry that would assist in 黑料社区鈥檚 ambition to becoming a global hub for gaming. The Kingdom鈥檚 National Gaming and Esports Strategy, launched last year by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to create 39,000 jobs and boost the nation鈥檚 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: 鈥淐elebrating the first batch of graduates from the Saudi Esports Academy鈥檚 master鈥檚 degree and diploma programs is a milestone moment for the academy, the Saudi Esports Federation, and 黑料社区鈥檚 gaming and esports ambitions.

鈥淏e 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.

鈥淚mportantly, our graduates also now have an outstanding opportunity to help ensure the aims of 黑料社区鈥檚 National Gaming and Esports Strategy are fully fulfilled. In addition, these graduates also give inspiration to the next batch of Saudi Esports Academy students.鈥

The nine-month master鈥檚 in esports business, which included industry internships within its program, had a total of 10 graduates. The master鈥檚 degree was run in conjunction with Spain鈥檚 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.

鈥淭he 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,鈥 said Mario Perez, CEO at GGTech MENA.

鈥淓verything 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,鈥 he added.

鈥淓sports and gaming is a thriving industry and the courses offer a 鈥 sometimes unique 鈥 pathway. It is an incredible opportunity. With regards to the master鈥檚 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.鈥

Einas Ahmed, a graduate from the master鈥檚 in esports business course, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 very proud to receive my master鈥檚 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.

鈥淚 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 黑料社区 and a lot of investment while building the esports ecosystem. 黑料社区 can become a hub for esports and video games, which is what I did my thesis on.鈥