GEMS Education Introduces Esports, Game Design Academy
The GEMS Esports and Game Design Academy will offer age-appropriate games in safe environments.
GEMS Education has launched an Esports and Game Design Academy, set to debut in September 2024 across all its schools through a scholarship prize fund.[1]
The GEMS Esports and Game Design Academy will offer age-appropriate games in safe environments, focusing on personal, social, and cognitive skills. Students will have access to learning materials, competitions, hackathons, accreditations, and career exploration opportunities in the gaming industry. Each GEMS school will have staff esports leads and student ambassador groups.
With a four-year track record in esports and game design, GEMS has got K-12 qualifications in the Middle East, partnering with industry leaders like Unreal Engine and Unity.
GEMS Education is one of the oldest K-12 private education providers globally. Founded in the UAE in 1959, GEMS is a family business led by its founder, Sunny Varkey, and his son, Dino Varkey, the CEO.
GEMS educates students from over 176 countries through its network of owned and managed schools worldwide. Each year, GEMS graduates gain admission to the world's top universities. Over the past five years, GEMS students have been accepted into over 1,050 universities in 53 countries, including all eight Ivy League universities in the US and all 24 Russell Group universities in the UK.
The esports industry in the Middle East is experiencing rapid growth, marked by several events such as the 2024 Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, which features a $60 million prize fund. Esports is also under consideration for inclusion in future Olympic Games. Additionally, Abu Dhabi hosts the BLAST finale with a $1 million prize each December. Dubai has also introduced the Dubai Gaming Visa to attract top global talent in esports and game design.