University Canada West (UCW) is excited to announce it is a scholastic partner in a new, first-of-its-kind esports development initiative featuring tournaments, virtual workshops and a case competition with $32,000 in scholarships and grants up for grabs – the most of any esports initiatives in Canada.
TGS Esports Inc.’s The Collegiate Championship Series is open to all Canadian college and university students. The virtual series, which started July 10 with tournaments, will include virtual classroom workshops in the fall, followed by a case competition this winter.
The initiative, which is free to enter, was developed by TGS’s recently acquired Volcanic Gaming to advance the Canadian esports industry and create opportunities for students in Canada to develop a career in esports.
Students have the chance to win $22,000 in scholarships and four paid internships at TGS. Additionally, the school with the most participants will win the School Spirit Award – a $10,000 technology upgrade for their esports initiative.
“Esports has exploded in the collegiate space with programs being launched in schools all over Canada. There are curriculums, events, dedicated facilities and more. With this program, we are creating a new vertical for students and faculty to get involved with no barrier to entry,” said Spiro Khouri, CEO at TGS. “The program is a great way for schools looking to get into the esports space to work with our team, at no risk to them, and learn all about integration in bigger ways.”
The initiative is designed to create interest and opportunities within the gaming industry and focuses on three key pillars – Play, Learn and Advance.
The Play portion kicked off July 10 with a series of collegiate tournaments for Canadian post-secondary students. Students can compete in either Smash Bros Ultimate (singles) Rocket League (3v3) with $22,000 in scholarship prizes on the line.
The second part of the initiative, Learn, aims to teach students and educators the fundamentals of the esports industry. Virtual classroom workshops will take place over 12 weeks this fall. Topics include Esports Community Leadership, Content Creation & Community Development and Business Development. The sessions will also include discussions around career opportunities within gaming.
Finally, this winter, students will have a chance to apply their knowledge in the Champions Series Case Competition, where they will develop and present their innovative ideas for a chance to win an additional $10,000 in grants. The four top-performing students will also receive paid internships at TGS Esports.
Students can sign up to participate at TGS.gg/Champs.
As a scholastic partner, UCW students will receive additional benefits, including esports career seminars and lectures. And UCW is planning an exclusive Case Competition for its MBA students later this year.
Published on July 13, 2021.
