KeSPA announced on the 20th that it has inked an industry-academic partnership with Dongyang University to cultivate professional talent for the esports sector. Both parties are set to collaborate across various domains, ranging from co-developing educational curricula to conducting industry research, policy formulation, and academic discourse.

The signing ceremony took place on the same day at Dongyang University's Dongducheon Campus, with KeSPA Secretary General Kim Cheol-hak and Dongyang University President Choi Jae-wook in attendance alongside other officials. Through this agreement, the association and the university plan to co-create training programmes for esports professionals while fostering mutual cooperation in tournament management, event operations, and content creation.

Notably, with Dongyang University having been selected as the lead institution for the '2026 Esports Professional Talent Training Project' by the Korea Creative Content Agency, the two parties are set to ramp up efforts in industry-linked internships, employment, and startup support programmes, including global talent development and next-gen esports leadership courses.

KeSPA Secretary General Kim Cheol-hak noted, "This partnership marks a significant starting point for bridging the gap between the esports industry and academia to nurture future talent." He added, "We aim to build a sustainable talent development model through joint curriculum design, industry-linked practical training, and policy collaboration." Echoing this sentiment, Dongyang University President Choi Jae-wook remarked, "As esports expands into a broader industry, culture, and career path, the role of universities becomes paramount. This collaboration serves as a launchpad for a new esports ecosystem connecting education, industry, and the local community, and we are committed to fostering well-rounded talent through our alliance with KeSPA."