Savvy Games Group (SGG) has partnered with King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia’s largest university, to launch a new gaming and esports training programme.
The two parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch diplomas in games production and esports management for students.
The games production and esports management diplomas will launch during the next academic year at the university based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Both courses aim to ‘blend academic education with practical, industry-driven expertise,’ along with providing students with the core skills to pursue careers within the gaming and esports sectors.
“This partnership with King Abdulaziz University is a key step in building local capabilities in game development and esports operations,” said Majed Al-Muhanna, Chief Human Resources Officer at Savvy Games Group.
“This is part of our Savvy Academy initiative, through which we are enabling new pathways for the next generation of Saudi professionals to gain the skills and experience required to succeed and be a leader in this industry.”
The Savvy Academy is a four-pillar initiative featuring four programmes catering to different age groups. Ranging from school pupils to postgraduate students, the initiative provides a platform for people to pursue a career within gaming and esports.
SGG has invested heavily in the growth of esports and gaming within Saudi Arabia over the past five years. In 2023, it announced a $265m (~£195.7m) investment in Chinese event organiser VSPO, cementing the company’s position as a key stakeholder within esports. Moreover, SGG is the parent company of prominent esports tournament operator ESL FACEIT Group.
Savvy Games Group is a holding company owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Saudi Arabia’s Esports Presence
Esports and gaming have played a significant role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, aiming to increase economic, social and cultural diversification within the Kingdom.
Alongside projects to encourage people to embark on careers within the industries, Saudi Arabia has become a hub for international esports tournaments.
Alongside the Esports World Cup, the Kingdom will host the FIFAe Finals in 2025 and 2026, with the Saudi Esports Federation continuing as the presenting partner of the evnet, taking place in Riyadh.
