One of Australia’s largest Universities launches first esport program

The evolution of online gaming, known as esports, has officially entered Australia’s education sector.

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) will provide scholarships for the best performing players from their newly created esports club.

Fitted with 27 high-tech computers, QUT believe the esport club is the first of its kind in Australia for an educational institute.

QUT esports coordinator, Dylan Poulus is confident in their technology, telling The Australian “We’ve got the best specs in terms of games and hardware and we’ve got the most developed program in the country.”

Competitive gaming is one of the fastest growing industries in the world with Goldman Sachs valuing esports at $500 million in 2016.

The scholarship program is yet to be finalised, but selected students will be given extended leave and alternative exam scheduling as gaming careers become a real possibility.

Mr Poulus hopes the eSports club will better guide gamers towards their chosen field much like local sports groups.

“In traditional sports like cricket, you have a grassroots club system that brings players up through the ranks,” Mr Poulus said.

“It’s a pathway that pretty much guarantees that if you score enough centuries you’ll eventually make the Australian team.”

The AFL has already made investments into esports with Adelaide Crows and Essendon Bombers having their own teams.