Informatics Academy launches first Esports and Game Design Diploma in Singapore

• Develop skills to handle the management of e-sports teams and streaming of e-sports events
• Course is an eight-month (full-time) or 12-month (part-time) programme

INFORMATICS Academy announced the launch of the Diploma in Esports and Game Design. The diploma programme which is registered with the Committee for Private Education (CPE) features an e-sports component, the first of its kind in Singapore for youths seeking a career in the e-sports industry and also introduces the fundamentals behind game design and programming.

With the exponential growth of e-sports and live streaming of major e-sports tournaments worldwide, the diploma is designed by industry experts to provide the knowledge necessary in becoming a technical game developer as well as the skills for future professionals who will handle the management of e-sports teams and streaming of e-sports events.

Informatics Education Ltd general manager Allan Norton, shared that a set of core modules in the new diploma will aim to “equip students with the practical skills and e-sports knowledge, for them to pursue a career in the field”.

He added, “This is the first time we are launching a diploma of such a nature and have already received tremendous interest. We recognise that there is a growing potential in the e-sports industry and we hope to provide a nurturing environment to groom future talents who are looking to establish themselves in this field.”

With aims to build a career path for gaming enthusiasts in Singapore, Informatics Academy has partnered with (Singapore) Cybersports & Online Gaming Association (SCOGA), which operates an e-sports academy supported by the National Youth Council.

The introduction of the new diploma has also garnered the support of key companies from the industry including ESL Asia, Riot Games and Twitch, by supporting in areas such as curriculum development, industry insights, guest lectures and providing attachment and internship opportunities for students in the programme.

Following the announcement and signing of the memorandum of understanding with Informatics Academy last year, SCOGA chairman and co-founder Nicholas Aaron Khoo said: “SCOGA is proud to partner Informatics Academy to allow gamers to pursue their passion in e-sports full time. We are also humbled to have the support of some of e-sports’ biggest industry players to bring real world experience and perspectives to the classroom.”

Supporting the launch of the Diploma, ESL Asia chief operating officer Frank Sliwka, said: “As the global e-sports industry continues to grow exponentially, so will the demand for quality e-sports content from fans all around the world. As the world’s leading e-sports company, we at ESL are particularly mindful of the greater need for highly-trained talents who can help us maintain our global leadership and drive growth in Southeast Asia from our Singapore base.

“ESL is proud and excited to share with young people in Singapore our experience, knowledge and the exciting range of opportunities in managing events, communities, and giving audiences the very best experiences in e-sports.”

Ahead of the commencement of the diploma programme, Amos Ker, captain of Team Impunity said: “I am proud to be the school’s ambassador for the Diploma as enrolling in this programme will allow me to gain knowledge from a different perspective of the various aspects of the e-sports ecosystem and provide me with the opportunity to pursue and upgrade my qualifications in e-sports which I am passionate about.”

E-sports which are competitive in nature, requires the skillsets that are relevant across multiple game genres and platforms. With globalisation and widespread adoption of digital technologies bringing increased exposure and the formation of various e-sports communities, there will be a strong focus on practice-based learning to give students a fuller understanding on the e-sports and game development industry.

The Diploma in Esports and Game Design course is an eight-month (full-time) or 12-month (part-time) programme designed for fresh school leavers and/or individuals who wish to develop their career in the e-sports and gaming industry.

It will equip them with the fundamentals of game development, e-sports knowledge and the trend of live streaming of major e-sports tournament events, together with the concept of game design theories and game programming.

Students will have to attend eight theory modules to develop the foundation and practical skills in areas such as fundamentals of e-sports, live streaming, games development and team management. Upon successful completion of the modules, students will be awarded the Diploma in Esports and Game Design by Informatics Academy and can pursue their careers or continue with the Advanced Diploma upon graduation.

The Diploma in Esports and Game Design will be offered every year in January, May and September. Applications for the first intake in September 2018, is now open.

For more information and registration, visit http://www.informatics.edu.sg/

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