In a groundbreaking move, a Dubai-based company is piloting a new educational initiative that integrates gaming into school curricula.
The company, Unesportsity, aims to reframe the way gaming is perceived, positioning it not just as entertainment but as a valuable tool for skill development, personal growth, and economic opportunity.
The program, which targets students as young as three, is a strategic step towards creating an educational ecosystem where gaming can contribute to the development of critical life skills.
A Vision for the Future of Education
Dr. Adil Alzarooni, the founder of CapiZona Ventures, the company that runs Unesportsity, believes that gaming holds untapped potential to enhance learning and upskill the younger generation.
“We want people to realise that gaming can introduce economic output and benefit gamers by upskilling,” he stated in a recent interview.
According to Dr. Adil, the initiative will help transform the way gaming is incorporated into education, gradually evolving it into a core component of the school and university curricula.
Unesportsity is already making strides in its mission, piloting its gaming program at the Citizens School in Dubai. As the chairman of the school, Dr. Adil emphasized the importance of embedding fun and skill-building in the educational journey.
“We want to make education more fun and have skills embedded subconsciously into their minds,” he said.
The program not only focuses on developing gaming skills but also aims to nurture broader competencies that can be beneficial in daily life, regardless of whether the students pursue careers in gaming.
Gaming as a Tool for Skill Development
The potential benefits of gaming go beyond entertainment. Dr. Adil argues that the skills acquired through gaming—problem-solving, teamwork, strategic thinking, and hand-eye coordination—are transferable to many aspects of life and future careers.
He highlighted that many of these skills are already in high demand in the job market, particularly in industries such as technology, finance, and design.
“We want students to realise that the skills they acquire through gaming are just as valuable as those learned through traditional education. Whether it’s developing critical thinking or enhancing reflexes and coordination, gaming can provide a powerful foundation for success,” Dr. Adil remarked.
The initiative is designed to give students hands-on experience with gaming in a structured and controlled environment.
While some parents may view gaming as a distraction, Unesportsity seeks to demonstrate its potential as a constructive and enriching part of a child’s education. The program will use gaming as a medium to teach soft skills like communication, creativity, and leadership.
The Rise of Gaming in the UAE and the Region
Dr. Adil’s vision is not only about changing perceptions in education but also tapping into the booming gaming market in the UAE and the wider region.
The gaming industry is now larger than both the music and movie industries combined, with an estimated 25% of the UAE population expected to be active gamers.
In Saudi Arabia, the figure is even higher, with projections estimating that 60% of the population will be engaged in gaming activities.
“The gaming industry is now a massive force. It’s not just about playing for fun anymore. It’s about career opportunities, creating content, and even managing online tournaments,” Dr. Adil pointed out.
He believes that introducing gaming into schools at an early age will better prepare the younger generation for this burgeoning industry, giving them a head start in a competitive job market.
Unesportsity is not just focusing on traditional gaming but is also expanding into the world of eSports.
By launching tournaments within its physical location on Sheikh Zayed Road, the company is setting up a platform for students and young professionals to hone their competitive gaming skills.
The tournaments will eventually span schools and universities across the UAE, further cementing gaming’s role in education and skill development.
A Step-by-Step Approach
Unesportsity’s gaming program is still in its early stages, with a focus on experimenting with the physical space for gaming tournaments.
The company has already launched its first physical studio within a café on Sheikh Zayed Road, which will serve as a base for introducing students to gaming competitions.
Dr. Adil envisions this space as a starting point, with future expansion plans aimed at reaching a wider audience.
The goal is to develop a structured system that manages gaming tournaments and rewards students for their achievements. This could eventually lead to the integration of gaming as an official part of the school curriculum, allowing students to learn while having fun.
“We are just experimenting with the space to manage tournaments, and these tournaments will cross schools and universities at a certain point in time,” Dr. Adil explained. “We will be taking it step by step.”
The company also plans to create a broader program that will extend to additional communities and schools across the UAE. By nurturing a love for gaming while simultaneously teaching life skills, Unesportsity hopes to create a sustainable framework that will allow gaming to flourish in educational settings.
Fighting the Stigma of Gaming
One of the biggest challenges that Dr. Adil and Unesportsity face is changing the stigma surrounding gaming, particularly among parents.
For years, gaming has been viewed negatively by many families, who associate it with idleness, addiction, and unhealthy screen time. However, Dr. Adil is adamant that, when properly managed, gaming can be a force for good.
“Most parents, when they see their children gaming, think of it as a bad thing and scold them to get off the screens,” Dr. Adil noted.
“But if the gaming experience is trained in a certain way, it can actually be a positive one.” He emphasizes that gaming should be part of a balanced life, one that includes physical and mental activities to ensure overall well-being.
Through Unesportsity, Dr. Adil aims to guide parents on how to manage their children’s gaming experiences and make them more productive and enriching.
As the educational program expands, it is expected that both parents and students will come to see gaming as a tool for developing valuable life skills, rather than a mere pastime.
“The goal is not just to teach kids how to play games, but to use gaming to build character, creativity, and critical thinking,” Dr. Adil said. “We want parents to feel comfortable with the idea that gaming can be part of a child’s development.”
A Visionary Approach to Education
Dr. Adil is confident that with the right support from the community, including parents, educators, and policymakers, the concept of integrating gaming into education will succeed.
“Gaming experience wrapped by an education experience is very innovative and visionary,” he said. “But it won’t be possible without the support of the community, team members, and, of course, the parents.”
As Unesportsity continues to develop its program and expand its reach, Dr. Adil is optimistic about the future of gaming in education.
He believes that it will not only enhance the learning experience for students but also create new economic opportunities for the region, as it taps into the rapidly growing global gaming industry.
The road to integrating gaming into school curricula will be gradual, but with a clear vision and strong community involvement, Unesportsity is poised to be at the forefront of this educational revolution.
By breaking down the barriers between entertainment and education, Unesportsity is setting a new standard for how gaming can shape the future of learning in the UAE and beyond.