Globe Telecom and Esports AcadArena have partnered to launch their first esports merit scholarship program for college students in the Philippines. The scholarships will be available to schools that are part of AcadArena’s Alliance Program, the group’s student organization support program.
“The education sector is hard-hit by the pandemic. With students, teachers and families shaken to adjust to the digital norm,” Dennis Christian Dominguez, Head of Games and Esports at Globe Telecom weighs in. “Many schools are turning to esports to supplement the lack of extracurricular activities. This is Globe’s way to make that transition smoother and more holistic.”
The program will initially offer three scholarship categories, including Competitive Merit, Leadership Merit, and the Family Good Game Grant. Both the Competitive Merit and Leadership Merit categories may be offered to eligible students from a student organizations that have received 3-star accreditation under AcadArena’s Alliance Program. While the Family Good Game Grant is open to eligible students from any student organization under the Alliance Program.
“There was a lot to balance. We wanted to find a system that aligned with our ‘not just play’ core value,” Ariane Lim, Co-Founder and Director of Student Programs at AcadArena revealed. “We didn’t want to attach the scholarship to a singular game title. We also wanted to be more relevant to a student’s lifestyle.”
| Category | Access | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive Merit (25% – 100% tuition coverage) | Any eligible student from a 3-star accredited Alliance Student Organization | The competitive merit scholarship category is open to active rosters of Alliance member schools who have shown good character and performance in any of the games under AcadArena. |
| Leadership Merit (25% – 100% tuition coverage) | The leadership merit scholarship category is open to support staff of the Alliance member schools who have shown good character and contribution to the growth of the campus esports scene in their community. | |
| Family Good Game Grant (PHP 25,000 to PHP 50,000 grant) | Any eligible student from any AcadArena Alliance Student Organization | The family good game grant is open to families of players with good character who qualified in any official tournament of the AcadArena whether for the AcadArena University Alliance Cup or the AcadArena National Campus Open. |
Currently, the following universities and student organizations are accredited under the Alliance Program:
- Teletigers (University of Sto. Tomas)
- Viridis Arcus (De La Salle University)
- Loyola Gaming Esports (Ateneo de Manila University)
- Oblation Esports (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
- Valiant Esports (Holy Angel University)
- Malayan Esports Club (Malayan Colleges Laguna)
- Mapua Gaming Society (Mapua University)
- TUP Gear (Technological University of the Philippines)
- FIT iTamaraws (Far Eastern University-Institute of Technology)
- Haribons (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila)
- San Agustin Golden Eagles (University of San Agustin)
- Golden Lions (Central Philippine University)
- Warriors’ Arena (University of San Carlos)
More details on scholarship eligibility and the application process will be announced at a later date. Student organizations and campus esports programs that are interested in becoming part of the Alliance Program can get more information from the official website.