Skyesports and IICT Partner to Bring Esports into Indian Academia

India’s top esports organizer signed an MoU with one of the country’s leading education institutes to bring esports into the mainstream education system.

Skyesports CEO Shiva Nandy with IICT members

Skyesports has partnered with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) to integrate esports into academic and professional learning.

The agreement was formalized during the Annual General Meeting of the Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS), which has now rebranded itself as the Indian Digital Gaming & Esports Society (IDGES) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The rebrand itself highlights a sharper focus on esports as part of India’s broader AVGC-XR agenda.

The MoU sets out six key areas of collaboration. These include co-developing esports-focused curriculum and training programs, offering students internships and live project opportunities, hosting joint tournaments and hackathons, conducting research on the socio-economic impact of esports, advising on infrastructure such as arenas and broadcast facilities, and supporting start-ups with mentorship and industry connections.

For students, this means esports won’t just be something you watch or play casually; it could become a structured career path.

Commenting on the partnership, Skyesports founder and CEO Shiva Nandy said the company’s mission has always been about creating opportunities, from grassroots tournaments to working with governments on inclusive policies. “This collaboration with IICT is the next step in that journey. Together, we will take our experience into academia, build structured pathways, and deliver sustainable careers for the next wave of Indian talent,” he explained.

Dr. Vishhwas Deosskar, CEO of IICT, added that 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,” he said.

The agreement will initially run for one year, with the option to extend. For Skyesports, this builds on years of grassroots initiatives and government collaborations, including its role in the Tamil Nadu Government’s Chief Minister’s Trophy and the Chennai Esports Global Championship. For IICT, it’s a chance to give students access to one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.