The value of esports is especially prevalent at the post-secondary level for student development, recruitment, and retention.

TORONTO, Nov. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – Esports is an activity where video games are played competitively by professionals and is a growing trend in the education sector. Esports is popular among a wide range of students, including those that may not be interested in traditional sports and may otherwise see little extra-curricular involvement on campus. As many professionals and IT teams in education may be unfamiliar with esports, Global IT research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group has published a new industry blueprint titled Develop and Mature an Esports Program in Education to address this emerging opportunity.

Within education, esports is considered a full K-20 activity, with the potential to span the entire academic journey of most students. For universities, developing ties with local high schools via esports can also offer a recruitment channel through scholarship programs to find students with high academic potential. As well, esports can have a positive impact and improve student retention for the following reasons:

1.      Many students are engaged in esports.

2.      Many gamers are not yet otherwise engaged on campuses.

3.      Esports can offer multiple points of entry, creating a very diverse group

Esports often develops in an ad-hoc fashion, but without…