Officially: Electronic games to be included in Saudi education curricula and scholarship programs

In a strategic move aimed at keeping pace with the demands of the digital future, the Saudi Ministry of Education, the National Institute for Professional Development in Education, and Tatweer Educational Services Company signed three pivotal memoranda of understanding with the "Safi Electronic Games Group," a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund. These agreements aim to formally integrate the electronic games industry into the educational system, representing a fundamental shift in teaching and training methods in the Kingdom.

Details of the agreement and official attendance

The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Education headquarters in Riyadh, in the presence of high-ranking officials, including His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SAFI Group, and His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef Al-Bunyan. Also present were the Director General of the National Institute for Professional Development in Education, Dr. Abdullah Al-Awda, and the CEO of Tatweer Educational Services Company, Mr. Mohammed Al-Muhaimid, along with a number of other leaders from the education sector.

Strategic context: Vision 2030 and the gaming sector

This move is not isolated from the Kingdom's general direction, but rather an integral part of the National Strategy for Gaming and Esports launched by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, which aims to make the Kingdom a global hub for this sector by 2030. The Kingdom is working to diversify its digital economy, with the esports sector viewed as a significant economic driver capable of creating thousands of jobs and contributing to the GDP. The "Savi Group" is the main driver of this substantial investment, making the partnership with the Ministry of Education a logical step towards establishing a strong national talent pool.

Integrating curricula and scholarship pathways

Under these agreements, work will be undertaken in coordination with the National Center for Curricula to integrate the concepts and industry of electronic games into the curricula of general education, university education, and technical training. Perhaps the most significant aspect of this partnership is opening new horizons for students through:

• Specialized scholarship tracks: Including gaming industry specializations within the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program and the "Promising" track, which allows students to study at the finest international universities in this field.
• National Competitions: Designing and implementing national competitions for the game industry and development to discover young talent.
• Savi Academy: The academy has been accredited as one of the strategic partnership institutes of the General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training.

Teacher development and the digital environment

The agreements also addressed the professional development of the teaching staff, stipulating cooperation to enhance teachers' skills in using gamification and artificial intelligence. Specialized workshops and seminars will be held to equip teachers with the tools of the digital age. Furthermore, interactive educational content will be developed for the "My School" platform, and a "Safi Games and Innovation Lab" will be established to provide students with a practical, hands-on learning environment.

Expected impact locally and regionally

This initiative is expected to have a far-reaching impact, transforming students from consumers of games into developers and producers of technology. Locally, it will address the critical shortage of programmers, designers, and digital innovators in the Saudi labor market. Regionally, it reinforces Saudi Arabia's position as a leader in digital and educational transformation in the Middle East, potentially encouraging neighboring countries to adopt similar models and fostering a competitive and innovative environment that serves the knowledge economy of the entire region.