TUJ Dean Matthew Wilson (left) and AESF Director General Sebastian Lau (right) sign MoU at TUJ in Tokyo
Exciting advancements are unfolding in the sphere of esports at Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ). The university has recently established a strategic partnership with the Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF), encompassing collaborative efforts in both competition and education. In tandem with this development, TUJ will be taking part in the esports event hosted by University of Tsukuba in January and February in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
TUJ and the AESF, the sole official authority responsible for electronic sports in Asia recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia, have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding on January 12, 2024. This is the federation’s inaugural partnership with a university located in Japan.
In the area of competition opportunities, the TUJ esports team will be invited to participate in future AESF’s University Championship and other university-related competitions. Also, there is a prospect of TUJ’s esports team contributing to the preparations for upcoming Asian Games-related events in Nagoya in Japan by 2026.
On the educational front, TUJ can contribute esports research to AESF’s summits and conferences, while TUJ students may gain internship or volunteering experience at AESF-related competitions. AESF expresses support for TUJ’s esports academic program and proposes an esports exchange program for TUJ students with partnered universities in Asia and beyond. The collaboration aims to integrate guest lecturers, facilitate introductions to industry experts, and jointly develop projects to cultivate esports talent through training programs, education, bootcamps and research.
Sebastian Lau, AESF Director General, said, “We are pleased to announce the establishment of this strategic partnership. The collaboration and MoU signing mark an exciting milestone, opening doors to incredible opportunities for the TUJ esports team and faculty, both in competitions and education. Various innovative programs and research initiatives are introduced through this collaboration. This is AESF’s inaugural partnership with a university in Japan, signifying a crucial step in jointly developing the esports landscape in the country. Furthermore, as esports is included as a medal event at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, this partnership holds significance in our preparations for this prestigious event”.
TUJ’s Dean Matthew Wilson commented, “TUJ is thrilled to build upon its excellence in education through our new partnership with AESF. Our university aims to provide students with a state-of-the-art educational journey. As one of the only universities in Japan with an academic program in esports, we provide pathways for our students to prepare for career prospects involving esports spanning across diverse fields such as business, management, broadcasting, media, arts, computer science, law, psychology, and medicine. By teaming with AESF, our students and faculty will be able to engage with industry experts, participate in cutting-edge events, and make contributions to the exploding esports industry. We are excited to provide our students with such opportunities.” Dean Wilson continued, “We are also most grateful to Dr. Baro Hyun, CEO at LuneTone Inc. and author of ‘Demystifying Esports’ who has not only facilitated the bridge between TUJ and AESF, but who also elevates excellence in our classrooms by teaching and inspiring our students about the world of esports.”
TUJ Esports in Action
TUJ students also gain invaluable experience outside of the classroom. The TUJ esports team has been invited to compete in the gaming event hosted by University of Tsukuba on January 20 to 21 and February 3 to 4. TUJ will participate in the event alongside the hosts and the official esports team of Tsukuba, as well as prominent student-led club teams, including Waseda University’s “Waseda Teens”, and Keio University’s “TitanZz.”
This event goes beyond a typical gaming competition, it is a part of a scientific survey conducted by the University of Tsukuba Sports Innovation Research and Development Center. Titled “TSUKUBA LIVE! OWL GAME #2” and co-organized with parties like Ibaraki Prefecture, the survey aims to explore “The Impact of Beverages Consumed During eSports Competition on Psychological Responses.”
During the competition, two participating university teams will drink soda during the first week (January 20-21) and only water during the second week (February 3-4). Conversely, the other two teams will start with water during the first week and transition to soda in the second week. The study aims to evaluate how players’ reactions vary depending on their beverage consumption.
Faculty and students from TUJ and University of Tsukuba have been actively communicating in recent years in the area of collegiate esports activity. While university-sponsored esports teams are common in the U.S., they are not yet widely established in Japanese colleges. Nevertheless, both TUJ and Tsukuba’s esports teams are formally backed by their respective universities and they also have the same nickname, “the Owls.”
Details of the event:
Week 1
Date: January 20-21, 2024
Time: 10:00-20:00
Venue: co-en
Address: 1-10-1 Azuma, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki 305-0031, Tsukuba Center Building 1F
Week 2
Date: February 3-4, 2024
Time: 10:00-20:00
Venue: co-en
Address: 1-10-1 Azuma, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki 305-0031, Tsukuba Center Building 1F
About TUJ’s Esports
Since TUJ introduced its esports certificate program in early 2023, the acknowledgment of esports has increased within the university, both academically and in terms of gaming activities. TUJ has taken a pioneering step in embracing the world of esports after the launch of the certificate program last year, which provides the academic knowledge needed to navigate the rapidly growing industry of esports.
In the program that started in the summer 2023 semester in May, TUJ has been offering courses that will help students understand esports management, industry trends, legal and ethical challenges, social media engagement and revenue production. TUJ has also added new faculty members for the esports program from around the world including Dr. Hyun.
Beyond academics, the official esports team’s ongoing series of gaming activities since the program’s launch has not only strengthened connections with other universities based in Japan but has also fostered a sense of community within the domestic gaming community. The TUJ Gaming Club has been hosting a series of gaming tournaments on campus, attracting participation from some of the world’s top players, including students from other renowned Japanese universities.
Other related stories
- TUJ Esports Team Deepens Ties with Japanese Universities and Shines at Various Events (November 21, 2023)
- Temple University, Japan Campus to Offer Esports Program to Prepare Students for Promising Career Opportunities in the Cutting-Edge Industry (May 15, 2023)
- Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) and Yamanashi Prefecture Sign Cooperation Agreement (December 13, 2022)