ICTU Partners with VIRESA to Pioneer Digital Sport & Esports Management Education and Technology Transfer
On April 9, 2026, Thai Nguyen University of Information and Communication Technology (ICTU), in collaboration with Vietnam Recreational and Electronic Sport Association (VIRESA), organized a cooperation signing ceremony and a professional training workshop on Esports, Phygital Sports, and STEM.
The event was attended by representatives of ICTU Board of Rectors; leaders of departments, faculties, and Enterprise Cooperation Center; lecturers involved in the Digital Sports & Esports Management training program; members of ICTU Esports Club; as well as a large number of faculty members and students interested in the field. Representing the partner side were leaders of VIRESA together with experts and enterprises operating in esports and digital technology. The event was not only a professional collaboration activity but also marked an important milestone in ICTU’s strategy to develop new academic programs aligned with technology, innovation, and digital transformation trends.
One of the highlights of the program was the participation of leading Vietnamese experts in esports and digital sports. The VIRESA delegation was led by Dr. Nguyen Huu Hung, Vice President of VIRESA, alongside specialists, lecturers, managers, and representatives from major technology enterprises such as VNGGames, Funtap, Holomia VR, and RecSports Vietnam. The participation of these experts provided practical insights into emerging trends while establishing a strong connection between ICTU and the domestic as well as international esports ecosystem, thereby opening up long-term cooperation opportunities.
Based on this foundation, the cooperation agreement signing ceremony between ICTU and VIRESA was carried out with several strategic objectives aimed at building a systematic training foundation for the esports sector. The two parties agreed to collaborate in developing training programs, curricula, and learning materials related to digital sports, while also promoting scientific research and the application of emerging technologies such as AI and VR/AR in this field. In addition, both sides emphasized strengthening connections with the business ecosystem in order to provide students with internship opportunities, career orientation, and expanded employment prospects. This cooperation represents an important step for ICTU in preparing to launch esports-related academic programs in the near future.
Following the signing ceremony, a comprehensive professional training workshop was conducted, integrating theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice. The workshop topics focused on the digital sports ecosystem, technology management, esports tournament organization, event production and operations, as well as athlete coaching methods covering tactics, psychology, and physical conditioning. Especially, the workshop also featured experiential activities and demonstrations of advanced technologies and equipment such as VR, Phygital Sports, and RecSports, contributing to the direct transfer of technology and real-world operational models to the University.
Building upon this cooperation and technology transfer initiative, ICTU is gradually developing a modern, practice-oriented esports training ecosystem closely connected with enterprise partners. Beyond exploring a new field, ICTU is clearly demonstrating its pioneering orientation in training human resources for the digital creative industry.
In the 2026–2027 academic year, ICTU is ready to enroll students in the Digital Sports & Esports Management program under the Sports Management major, thereby expanding career opportunities for students and meeting the growing demands of the labor market in the digital era.