Misk Schools Students Enjoy Inaugural BTEC in Esports Lesson at Misk Global Forum 2023

Esports star influencer Brandon Smith flew into Riyadh to deliver a lesson for EStars, the leaders in educational esports

Pearson-accredited BTEC course will upskill students to take advantage of careers in the fast-growing esports industry

Misk Schools, a pioneer in the region, is offering the BTEC in Esports as part of its innovative curriculum

The Misk Global Forum in Riyadh showcased the talents and ideas of young leaders, CEOs and entrepreneurs from around the world, but one of the most exciting innovations was undoubtedly the inaugural BTEC in Esports lesson, delivered to students from Riyadh's prestigious Misk Schools.
‍
Esports influencer Brandon Smith flew into Riyadh especially to deliver the lesson on behalf of the region’s leaders in educational esports, EStars. Accredited in the MENA region by Pearson Education, one of the world’s top education providers, the BTEC in Esports is designed to provide students with the expertise they need to access opportunities in the fast-growing esports sector. The esports industry saw revenues of almost $2bn in 2022 and has been growing at more than 20% per year.

Fittingly, the lesson was delivered in the Riyadh Schools' Classroom of the Future, which has been designed and built in partnership with EStars. The concept provides a template for reinventing education using the best emerging technologies and teaching practices, to empower students growing up in a very different world.

Dr Steffen Sommer, the Director General of Misk Schools said, "Esports encourages young people to work together and play together, which is culturally quite new here. In addition to educating students about a rapidly expanding global industry, the BTEC also hones strategic thinking, teamwork and entrepreneurial skills – essential capabilities for emerging leaders navigating the world.”

The inaugural BTEC in Esports lesson and the Riyadh Schools Platform's Classroom of the Future were the subject of huge interest at MGF23, visited by a number of Saudi dignitaries, Ministry Officials and VIPs, plus stars such as two-time world champion boxer Amir Khan, professional racing driver Reema Juffali and Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Alqarni.

EStars CEO Mags Byrne said "We are proud to be delivering the BTEC in Esports to students at Misk Schools. EStars aims to provide a pathway to careers of the future for the students of today. Collaborating with such a pioneering partner as Misk Schools has given us a chance to showcase how the BTEC in Esports upskills students to forge careers in the growing esports sector".
‍
--- ENDS ---

About Misk Schools
The pioneering, not-for-profit Misk Schools is based on a school campus in Riyadh for both male and female students, aged 4 to 18. Proudly setting a new standard for education in Saudi Arabia, Misk Schools actively supports Vision 2030. Founded in 2016 by HRH Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud, Misk Schools empowers students to become creative innovators so they can chart their own unique paths in serving and leading society. The curriculum is international with a strong Saudi cultural heart. Every student has a personalised timetable designed to maximise his or her potential. Project-based and experiential learning is embraced, alongside traditional academic teaching, to enable students to grow into high performing, inquisitive, problem-solving learners who have the spirit to become future leaders and exemplary citizens of the world. https://miskschools.edu.sa

About EStars
EStarsis the home of educational esports, with offices in Abu Dhabi from which itcovers the Middle East and Africa. Founded in 2017 in the UK by CEO Mags Byrne,EStars is the global leader in educational esports, providing students with theskills they need to succeed in one of the world's fastest-growing industries.EStars boasts their three award-winning business arms: the After SchoolClub, BTEC qualifications and room design andconstruction. The After School Club is a dynamic online platform, helpingstudents develop essential skills by completing educational tasks, taking partin tournaments and receiving esports coaching. The BTEC in Esports isaccredited by Pearson Education, the world's leading education provider and isthe only industry expert-led BTEC in esports in the MENA region. Passionateabout esports and education, EStars has formed, managed and run almost 100 liveevents. The company’s vision is to become the best and most recognised providerof educational esports in the world, partnering with schools and institutionsto provide innovative solutions that cater to their evolving needs. Thisincludes their pioneering third vertical: the design, build and management ofstate-of-the-art rooms and gaming rooms, like the Riyadh Schools’ Classroom ofthe Future showcased at the Misk Global Forum, Riyadh, 15-17 November 2023.
https://www.estars.pro/

About MGF
The MiskGlobal Forum (MGF) is the biggest youth forum in the region, an annual flagshipevent hosted by Misk Foundation, dedicated to empowering and connecting youngleaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs globally. MGF serves as a dynamicplatform for fostering vibrant discussions, exchanging ideas, and creatingnetworking opportunities to nurture youth potential, encourage collaboration,and catalyse positive global change.
https://miskglobalforum.com/


For information, interviews, media requests: contact camilla@redknotcomms.com
‍