Skyesports, IICT Partner to Include Esports into Indian Academia

• Skyesports and IICT sign a one-year MoU to integrate esports into Indian academia, aiming to create a structured esports ecosystem.
• Students gain hands-on experience through courses, internships, events, and start-up support.
• Backed by government and global partnerships, the collaboration aims to position India as a leader in esports.

Skyesports and the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) have signed a one-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate esports into India’s academic and industry ecosystems. The pact aims to create structured career pathways in esports via education, research, infrastructure, and start-ups.

A Step Towards Solidifying Esports 

This collaboration comes as IICT, India’s first institute dedicated to AVGC-XR (Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics, Extended Reality), begins operations and positions itself as a creative technology Centre of Excellence, reflecting the government’s push to boost India’s global esports presence and strengthen industry-academia ties.

Shiva Nandy, CEO of Skyesports, said, “our mission has always been to create opportunities — from grassroots tournaments that gave aspiring players their first stage, to working with governments on inclusive policies for esports.” He also highlighted the new partnership with IICT, signed at the IDGS AGM, will enable India to sharpen “its focus on esports”, and bring esports into academia, create structured career pathways, and nurture the next generation of Indian talent.

The agreement is valid for one year, with a renewal clause based on mutual consent to assess early impact and scalability.

What Does the MoU Entail?

Under the agreement, Skyesports and IICT will co-develop esports courses covering tournament operations, production, game strategy, shout-casting, and mental well-being, aiming to institutionalize esports education and create structured career pathways for students.

“At IICT, we believe the future of education lies in aligning academia with emerging industries. This collaboration with Skyesports 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 and gaming ecosystem,” said Dr. Vishhwas Deosskar, CEO of IICT.

The partnership will give students hands-on experience through internships, live projects, and event roles, while also hosting tournaments, hackathons, and research initiatives to nurture talent and support responsible growth. Additionally, it includes advisory and incubation support for esports infrastructure, start-ups, and emerging gaming ventures through mentorship and industry connections.

Institutional and Industry Context

The MoU was formalised under the Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS), which rebranded as the Indian Digital Gaming & Esports Society (IDGES) with a stronger esports focus. IICT’s first academic session begins in August 2025, with a curriculum tailored to the AVGC-XR sector, aligning esports education with its broader creative-technology mandate. 

Skyesports brings extensive grassroots tournament experience and public-policy engagement, while IDGS/IDGES continues to bridge academia and the gaming industry, highlighting its convening role. Adding a global dimension, IICT even holds a five-year MoU with the University of York (UK) for exchange programs and joint research, enhancing international credibility.

This partnership integrates Skyesports’ industry expertise with IICT’s academic framework, laying the foundation for structured learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship in gaming. It represents a forward-looking approach to building sustainable career opportunities and positioning India as a global hub for creative and competitive digital industries.