In partnership with Cyberport, the 2nd Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Metagame Conference will take place within a broader convening titled the Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF) hosted at Cyberport in Hong Kong, December 10-12, 2021 in a hybrid format (virtual and in-person).
Focusing on Hong Kong as an emerging esports leader in the region, leading scholars and industry professionals will gather to examine how this captivating industry can further its scope within universities and society from esports as digital entertainment to developing career pathways for students in the esports ecosystem.
“The skills that are learned in esports can be applied to any industry. Students are learning how to work effectively in diverse teams, across geographies, how to lead and communicate. Courses relating to esports can be multidisciplinary, across the creative arts, business, computer science and engineering, social sciences, law, neuroscience and many more,” “APRU connects universities and students across the Pacific Rim through international esports coordination. As an international network, we aim to develop a comprehensive esports platform for APRU member universities to help students develop their skills through fellowship programs, student competitions, tournaments, equity initiatives, career development, and more.”
Dr. Christopher Tremewan – Secretary General of APRU
The panel is also expected to touch upon opportunities for esports regarding metaverse, blockchain, digital arts and other emerging technologies.
The conference will also shed light on how gaming as digital entertainment can play a leading role in solving environmental challenges such as wildlife conservation, decarbonization, and even diversity and inclusion. The discussions will feature case studies from universities and experts, including a keynote address from Mr Sam Barratt, Chief of Youth, Education and Advocacy Unit, Ecosystems Division, The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
“We want to inspire the gaming industry to think about what role they can play in tackling both the climate and natural crises. Gaming is the most powerful entertainment medium in the world reaching some 2.7 billion globally, reaching across all geographies and generations. The awe of landscapes has always been a big part of the backdrop of gaming. Now we want to bring these issues into the foreground for gamers and the industry so that combined, their efforts are harnessed for the good of the environment.”
Sam Barratt – Chief of Youth, Education and Advocacy Unit, Ecosystems Division, The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
“Talent cultivation is one of the three strategic pillars of Cyberport. Our partnership with APRU has allowed us to explore ways to cultivate leaders of tomorrow through the lens of esports and the expansive value chain within this growing industry. With the 2nd APRU Metagame Conference as part of the flagship DELF event, the recent establishment of the APRU International University Centre at Cyberport, and several collaborations in the works, we look forward to further coupling APRU’s international network of universities with the flourishing digital entertainment community at Cyberport to help young talents hone their skills and delve into an exciting career in esports.”
Mr. Peter Yan, CEO of Cyberport
More interesting findings will be offered at the conference along with the signature League of Legends Wild Rift show match to officially kick off the regional tournaments in North America and the Asia Pacific with Nexten Esports.
To learn more about the future of esports and the opportunities it presents, register here.
