NASEF’s global network will bolster XCL Education’s ongoing work to leverage esports as a platform to impart meaningful learning and develop career and life skills among students

(Singapore, 22^nd May, 2023) – Esports is booming, and students in Southeast Asia are excited to not just play esports, but also pursue careers in it. To support this thirst for competition and learning, XCL Education has joined hands with NASEF to develop esports programs across its schools in Southeast Asia. A global NGO, NASEF provides a framework and support for educators around the world as they build programs that connect students’ love of video games and esports to exploration of career pathways, simultaneously developing important personal “soft skills” that will help youth thrive in today’s workforce.

NASEF leverages massive student interest in team-based competitive video gaming, offering meaningful career and STEAM education alongside tournaments in top game titles. Students learn about possible career pathways, enter Beyond the Game creative and analytic challenges, manage clubs and events and fundraising, and compete in tournaments in popular titles including but not limited to Rocket League, Valorant, and Minecraft, to name a few.

With the partnership, XCL Education aims to create and foster competitive esports programs through the lenses of learning and skill development in schools across Southeast Asia by setting up student-run esports clubs, organizing inter-school esports tournaments, and facilitating coaching, seminars and internships for schools and advisers.

“The esports program offers a window into a fast-growing industry of the future and is a unique way to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. While the esports league in US claims 3,500+ schools as part of its network, esports is largely underserved in K-12 education in this part of the world. As a pioneer in esports among private and international schools across Southeast Asia, XCL Education aims to lead by creating a model program that can be emulated not just in XCL schools, but in schools across all of Southeast Asia,” said Brian Rogove, Group CEO of XCL Education.

NASEF is supporting similar organizations worldwide and freely shares its unique experience in developing global educational and career pathways. As a non-profit, NASEF focuses on youth impact, emphasizing cultivating talent in all students, particularly those in underserved populations. Through its partnerships, NASEF also helps students uncover pathways to college scholarships and careers in the gaming industry around the world.  

“Research demonstrates the effectiveness of esports as a tool for meaningful STEAM and social-emotional learning,” said Gerald Solomon, founder and executive director of NASEF. “We’re thrilled to welcome XCL Education to the NASEF family, where educators will be able to learn best practices from scholastic esports programs around the world. We’re excited to support XCL Education and see the growth across all of Southeast Asia in the coming years.”

Learn more at the NASEF website or the XCL Education website. Industry partners, education professionals and members of the school community across Southeast Asia are invited to join XCL Education and NASEF in shaping this program and tap into their events and resources.

About NASEF

NASEF is on a mission to provide opportunities for all students to use esports as a platform to acquire STEM/STEAM-based skills and critical communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in work and in life. NASEF operates under the umbrella of the World Wide Scholastic Esports Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The International Esports Federation has entrusted NASEF with training and supporting its 130+ member federations as they undertake development of scholastic esports programs. Find NASEF at NASEF.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

About XCL Education

XCL Education is a forward-thinking group of private and international schools, serving 21,000 students across 22 schools in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Headquartered in Singapore, XCL Education aspires to be a trusted and respected future-focused family of schools, fostering curiosity and excellence and creating life-shaping impact on students, staff, and communities across Southeast Asia.

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 Media Contacts:

Claire LaBeaux, NASEF, [email protected]

Weirong Chang, XCL Education, [email protected]