Skyesports, India’s leading esports IP and community builder, has partnered with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) through a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate esports integration into India’s academic and professional landscape. The MoU was formalized at the Annual General Meeting of the Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS), now rebranded as the Indian Digital Gaming & Esports Society (IDGES).
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Skyesports IICT Partnership: Six Focus Areas
The collaboration aims to strengthen academic-industry linkages, create student engagement pathways, and position India as a global hub for esports talent, research, and innovation. The partnership establishes structured frameworks for sustainable careers in India’s rapidly growing esports ecosystem.
| Focus Area | Key Initiatives |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Development | Tournament management, production, game strategy, shout casting |
| Student Engagement | Internships, volunteering, live project participation |
| Joint Events | Tournaments, hackathons, innovation challenges |
| Research & Policy | Socio-economic impact studies, responsible growth advocacy |
| Infrastructure Support | Esports arenas, broadcast facilities, gaming labs |
| Start-Up Incubation | Mentorship, industry connections, visibility programs |
Building Academic-Industry Bridges
The partnership will co-develop academic and professional programs covering critical esports disciplines including tournament management, production workflows, game strategy analysis, shout casting, and player well-being. IICT students will gain hands-on exposure through internships, volunteering opportunities, and live projects at Skyesports tournaments.
“This collaboration with IICT, signed at the IDGS AGM as India sharpens its focus on esports, is the next step in that journey,” said Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO of Skyesports. “Together, we will take our experience into academia, build structured pathways, and deliver sustainable careers for the next wave of Indian talent.”
IICT: National Centre of Excellence
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) is a National Centre of Excellence dedicated to the AVGC-XR sector, unveiled by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at WAVES 2025. Envisioned as the IIT/IIM equivalent for creative technologies, IICT brings together academia, government, and industry leaders to build world-class programs for animation, VFX, gaming, comics, and extended reality.
Dr Vishhwas Deosskar, CEO of IICT, emphasized the forward-looking nature of the partnership: “This collaboration allows us to integrate esports into our curriculum, giving students hands-on exposure, research opportunities, and pathways to global careers. Together, we aim to position India not just as a participant but as a leader in the global esports ecosystem.”
Research, Infrastructure, and Start-Up Support
The MoU includes provisions for conducting research on the socio-economic impact of esports while supporting responsible industry growth through policy advocacy. Infrastructure advisory services will guide the setup of esports arenas, broadcast facilities, and gaming labs to international standards.
Skyesports’ Grassroots Legacy
This agreement builds on Skyesports’ extensive grassroots engagement and government collaborations. The organization pioneered open-for-all community tournaments and established long-running IPs that nurtured upcoming players. Previous government partnerships include contributing to Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister’s Trophy by including esports and organizing the Chennai Esports Global Championship (CEGC).
The one-year MoU includes provisions for extension based on mutual agreement, signaling long-term commitment to esports education development.
FAQs
What does the Skyesports-IICT partnership aim to achieve?
Create structured esports education pathways, research opportunities, and position India as a global esports hub.
How will IICT students benefit from this collaboration?
Through internships, live projects, curriculum integration, and hands-on tournament participation with Skyesports.
