Saudi Esports Academy celebrates first graduates

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 Saudi Arabia’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 Saudi Arabia’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 Saudi Arabia’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