Global Esports competition at UH Maui College

The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is set to host its inaugural international Academic Esports championship, inviting student teams from six nations for a week-long event. From Friday, Dec. 13 to Wednesday, Dec. 18, competitors from Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, Germany, Austria, and the local esports team from UH Maui College will compete in popular games such as Valorant, League of Legends, and Rocket League. Additionally, a special team from Maui High School is scheduled to participate. 

This tournament stands out due to its academic focus. Participants must perform well in three educational challenges: a programming and problem-solving contest that assesses technical capabilities; a business innovation initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurial skills; and an academic debate forum that explores global gaming culture and sustainability.

This marks the first occasion where a tournament has merged esports with academic and transferable skills, showcasing the potential of esports in education on a global scale. Esports serve as a universal language, fostering connections among individuals while playing a vital role in both education and recreation.

All events will be held in the Student Lounge located in the Pilina Building at the UH Maui College Kahului campus. Public attendance is welcome.

For updates and specific event schedules, visit https://world.academicesports.net. You can also follow the live action on Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv/uiaesport and YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@UiAEsport 

This innovative event is being organized by Rune Andersen, Head of Academic Esports at the University of Agder in Norway, and UH Maui College Chancellor Lui Hokoana. It emerged from an international collaboration initiated a year ago focused on advancing academic esports initiatives.

“This tournament pioneers a new perspective on esports in education,” stated Andersen. “By integrating competitive gaming with genuine academic challenges, we’re creating a precedent that has not been established before at this global level.”

“UH Maui College has consistently incorporated international educational elements into our students’ experiences. This is what renders hosting this event particularly meaningful for us,” commented Chancellor Hokoana. “It’s also remarkable that the international student participants will immerse themselves in Hawaiian culture during their visit, experiencing traditional customs, learning about Maui’s rich cultural heritage, and engaging in exchanges with the local community. During their stay on campus, they will share their own varied cultural insights, forming a unique fusion of global gaming culture and Hawaiian traditions.”

Student Malia Mancianti of UH Maui College is eagerly looking forward to the tournament. “I’m excited to see gamers from all over the globe join us to compete. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and showcasing the beauty of Hawai’i and the opportunities available here at UH Maui College,” she expressed.

Robin Pohl, team manager from Mittweida University in Germany, shared his enthusiasm: “I’m excited about both the academic challenges and the competition. The opportunity to collaborate with students globally while experiencing Hawaiian culture is what makes this much more than just an esports tournament. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone involved.”

The universities taking part include:

• Mittweida University of Applied Science, Germany
• MCI, The Entrepreneurial School, Innsbruck, Austria
• Staffordshire University, London, England
• University of Agder, Norway
• University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
• Yonsei University, South Korea
• University of Hawaiʻi Maui College and Maui High School