NESCol Esports Hub unveiled

June 6, 2024

The next generation of Esports stars are set to develop their skills at an exciting new facility.

The NESCol Esports Hub was officially launched at Fraserburgh Campus today to mark the completion of a £61,000 project.  

The investment has been made from funding provided by a local benefactor. The company, which has remained anonymous, has provided £700,000 to date to create new learning zones and enhance existing infrastructure at Fraserburgh Campus.  

The Esports Hub has been created to provide students on a range of computing courses with access to the very latest technology and equipment.  

The facility includes 13 high specification gaming PCs, providing the capacity to play games of up to six versus six players. A separate PC provides the ability to control and manage live streaming of the gameplay. The Hub provides a base for elite competition and features large screen displays to aid teaching. 

NESCol Principal Neil Cowie said: “We often highlight College’s role in the evolution of traditional industries as well as our support for new and emerging sectors. The introduction of the NESCol Esports Hub is an excellent example of that in action.  

“Fraserburgh Campus and our Scottish Maritime Academy in Peterhead are instrumental in providing a skilled workforce for established industries that remain bedrocks of the region’s economy, including engineering and fishing. 

“The investment in the Esports Hub provides an opportunity for students to develop skills in an exciting new sphere and to follow their ambitions in Esports and, more widely, in games design and computing. More than three-quarters of Scottish technology companies are predicting growth and that will only be possible with a talented, passionate and dedicated stream of new entrants.  

“The range of facilities we have at NESCol, coupled with the expertise of our teaching teams, provides a wealth of opportunity for current and prospective students. We are incredibly grateful to our benefactor for their investment in the next generation across a raft of different disciplines – from digital specialisms to renewable energy and construction.” 

Current NESCol students demonstrated the capabilities of the Esports Hub during today’s launch event, attended by the College’s partners and stakeholders. Rocket League was the game chosen to showcase the new equipment.  

The College has already enjoyed success with its Esports team and is aiming to build on that competitive element, as well as exploring opportunities to collaborate with other clubs and organisations in the region to make use of the equipment now available. 

Andrew Donn, Head of Sector for Construction, Science and Computing at NESCol, said: “The launch of the Esports Hub is a fantastic milestone for students and staff. We’re really looking forward to seeing our work in this area develop.  

 “To have this facility at Fraserburgh Campus is brilliant not only for the College but for the town and the surrounding area. There are so many possibilities that we’re looking at, not only in terms of teaching but also in how the Esports Hub will be used beyond that.”  

Applications for full-time courses starting this summer remain open, with a range of computing qualifications on offer at Fraserburgh Campus and City Campus.