NASEF’s global network bolsters Esports Education TR's work to leverage esports and gaming interest for meaningful learning around career and life skills

(İstanbul, Türkiye, June 24, 2025) – Esports are booming, and students in Türkiye are excited to not just play the games, but to pursue related careers. To support this thirst for competition and education, Esports Education TR has just become an affiliate of NASEF. A global NGO, NASEF provides a framework and support for educators around the world as they build programs that connect students’ love of video games and esports to exploration of career pathways, simultaneously developing important personal “soft skills” that will help youth thrive in today’s workforce.

NASEF leverages massive student interest in team-based competitive video gaming, offering meaningful career and STEAM education alongside tournaments in top game titles. Students learn about possible career pathways, enter Beyond the Game creative and analytic challenges, manage clubs and events and fundraising, and compete in tournaments in popular titles including but not limited to Rocket League, Mario Kart, and Minecraft, to name a few.

Yasin Nuri Cakir, founder and executive director of Esports Education TR, said, "As a strong believer in the transformative power of esports in education and youth development, I am truly excited about what we will achieve together. In Türkiye, this collaboration will help us reach more students, break down barriers around gaming, and build a stronger, more connected ecosystem for scholastic esports and digital skills."

The vision of Esports Education TR is to create and foster competitive esports programs through the lens of academics and learning in Türkiye middle schools and high schools by providing assistance, organizing tournaments, and presenting information to schools and advisers. NASEF is supporting similar organizations worldwide and freely shares its unique experience in developing global educational and career pathways. As a non-profit, NASEF focuses on youth impact, emphasizing cultivating talent in all students, particularly those in underserved populations. Through its partnerships, NASEF also helps students uncover pathways to college scholarships and careers in the gaming industry around the world.

 “Research demonstrates the effectiveness of esports as a tool for meaningful STEAM and social-emotional learning,” said Gerald Solomon, founder and executive director of NASEF. “We’re thrilled to  welcome Esports Education TR to the NASEF family, where educators will be able to learn best practices from scholastic esports programs around the world. We’re excited to support Esports Education TR and see the growth across Türkiye in the coming years.”

 Learn more at the NASEF website or the Esports Education TR Instagram page. Schools across Türkiye are invited to join Esports Education TR and NASEF and tap into their events and resources; contact via Instagram: @esportsedtech.

About NASEF

NASEF equips education, community and industry leaders to maximize the potential of scholastic esports. As a non-profit, NASEF supports leaders and youth to develop career and professional skills through a unique blend of play and learning. Using its research-backed approach, NASEF guides organizations around the world striving to make impacts through scholastic esports.

NASEF operates under the umbrella of the World Wide Scholastic Esports Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The International Esports Federation has entrusted NASEF with training and supporting its 130+ member federations as they undertake development of scholastic esports programs. Find NASEF at NASEF.org and on X/Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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