Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has made a significant stride in the world of esports education. Chosen as the first "esports focal sports centre coordinator" by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), this recognition marks a crucial development in the field of sports education and reflects the growing importance of esports in Malaysia.

Under MoHE’s Sports Centres of Excellence (SCE) and Focused Sports Centres (FSC) development programme, APU will play a pivotal role in fostering the growth of esports and developing a generation of “The Thinking Athlete(s)”, providing them with the necessary skills to excel in the world of competitive gaming.

Dato Dr. Pekan Ramli, Deputy Division Secretary of the MoHE's Sports Section, expressed his enthusiasm for this unique selection, stating, "We are delighted to have APU at this important moment in our development. APU's expertise in digital transformation and strategic supervision will assist Malaysian esports athletes in improving their professional skills such as critical thinking, perseverance, teamwork and decision-making."

APU's selection as the focal sports centre coordinator for esports is a testament to the university's commitment to nurturing globally-ready esports professionals. The university will offer comprehensive esports education that is both game-based and led by the industry through its specialist lab known as the eSports Lab.

APU boasts state-of-the-art gaming facilities equipped with high-performance computers, game consoles and gaming hardware. There are also dedicated spaces that can serve as training areas for esports teams and individual players to develop game ethics and strategise effectively.

APU offers a range of courses that indirectly impact the esports industry, such as BSc (Hons) in Computer Games Development, BA (Hons) in Animation, BA (Hons) in Visual Effects and BSc (Hons) in Multimedia Technology with a specialisation in VR/AR. Additionally, the university provides Skills Certificate programs in popular esports games like League of Legends (LOL), Defense of the Ancients 2 (DOTA2) and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO).

According to Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Tan Chin Ike, APU's Head of the School of Computing (SoC), "Through our vibrant student body and a very active APU eSports Club, the university has provided an avenue and opportunity for students to venture into the world of competitive games and even esports management, including shout-casting."

The establishment of the APU eSports Club allows students to participate and compete in various esports events, with the university offering coaching, practice facilities, equipment and support for competition travel fees. The club has already achieved notable success, with victories in prestigious competitions such as the Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) VALORANT Championship 2022 and the Predator Championship 2021.

APU's collaboration with industry professionals in game development and eSports further enhances students' career opportunities and industry exposure. By bridging the gap between academia and the gaming ecosystem, APU aims to nurture talented game developers and professional esports athletes who will bring value to the industry.

With APU's appointment as the esports focal sports centre coordinator, students interested in esports can pursue their passion while receiving a quality education. The university's holistic approach to esports education, combined with its state-of-the-art facilities and industry collaborations, positions APU as a pioneer in the field, empowering both aspiring amateur players and professional esports athletes to thrive.

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