The eSports industry is fast gaining popularity in Kenya, thanks to the advances in technology and the growth of the overall gaming industry.
Statistics show that more people are becoming involved in online games, whether playing themselves, watching others play, or even combining the two.
But it is the increasing interest among higher education learners in eSports as a bourgeoning career that is gradually catching the attention of industry observers, with an increasing number of young people now taking up bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree programmes in eSports or e-gaming, albeit abroad.
With its growing popularity, an increasing number of Kenyan students are now looking for relevant skills from higher learning institutions offering esports majors, to provide them with hands-on learning experiences and practical skills related to the gaming industry.
According to Professor Deborah Gare from Murdoch University – a public university in Perth, Western Australia, after graduating with an esports major, students can pursue a wide range of career paths in the gaming and esports industries.
Speaking in Nairobi at a breakfast meeting with its local agents, Deborah said that the number of Kenyan students seeking such opportunities has been on the rise with many now keen on moving to Australia to advance such careers.
“Ask anyone who’s studied here, there’s something special about us. The bachelor’s of Creative Media in games Art and Design is a practice – led program that gives students who walk into our campuses expertise in industry best practices for art asset workflow and game creation,” offers Gare – a researcher and award-winning professor and Pro Vice Chancellor at the University.
Adding that, students can work in game design, programming, art and animation, quality assurance, event management, digital marketing, journalism, broadcasting, and education, among others with Australia now a preferred learning destination for Kenyan learners.
Although it may not be as popular as traditional sports, esports continues to gain momentum — from diverse gaming models, innovative content development and dynamic relationships with the creative economy.
According to Professor Gare, plans are now afoot between Kenya and Australia to review visa requirements for Kenyan students wishing to study in Australia, with institutions like Murdoch University now enticing learners with affordable tuition fees as well as flexible integration programs that see learners transition into the Australian labour market with affluence.
Work-integrated learning has also emerged as one of the vital pathways to employment, offering the future workforce the essential experience and attributes needed to make a positive difference, which explains why learners are seeking foreign studies, according to Omar Mohamed – the managing director of EduCare International, a student recruitment agency in East Africa.
This major provides students with the ability to build on the comprehensive business administration core with skills in game design and game management.
Students master the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the increasing variety of esports organisations and businesses that complement the industry.
"International students are able to work part time while they study, allowing them to offset their living costs,” said Canor Murphy, regional manager, Murdoch University.
The study – abroad initiatives are also driven by the fact that over 700,000 KCSE 2023 candidates are set to miss University placements for various reasons, according to Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS) – the body charged with admitting students to public universities.
