Fourteen university educators in Abu Dhabi have completed a three-week Unreal Engine training programme delivered by Epic Games in partnership with Abu Dhabi Gaming. The in-person course combined hands-on engine training with game projects and teaching exercises, aiming to bring practical game development skills into university classrooms.
In its 12 October announcement, Abu Dhabi Gaming described this as the first delivery of the Train the Trainer programme outside Unreal’s training facility in Serbia. The participants came from arts, computer science, and game development disciplines, rather than a single technical department.
Training educators to teach game development
The cohort included educators from Abu Dhabi University, Zayed University, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, NYU Abu Dhabi, UAEU, and HCT. The release does not name the individual participants or break down how many attended from each institution.
Alongside practical Unreal Engine sessions, participants worked on capstone game projects and took part in weekly teach-back sessions. Those exercises gave them a chance to practise delivering the material, not just learn how to use the software.
Unreal Engine is Epic Games’ real-time 3D creation platform for games and interactive experiences. Here, the focus was on equipping educators to transfer their knowledge to students. The announcement does not set a timetable for new university courses or say how many students will receive training.
David Garcia, Epic Games Partner and Education Advisor, attended the final presentations. He said: “Participants combined technical learning with practical projects and teaching exercises, providing a strong foundation for the next stage of their development.”
Future cohorts remain under consideration
Abu Dhabi Gaming said it is exploring further Train the Trainer cohorts based on interest from educational institutions. It has not announced dates, places, or an application process for another intake. This is a completed educator programme, not an open invitation for students to join an Unreal Engine course.
The initiative adds an education strand to the region’s wider gaming activity. Other recent developments include Tamatem’s partnership with Mastercard for game web stores and UAE registration for the Red Bull Wings Cup. Those announcements concern payments and competition respectively; this programme targets the people who teach game development.
For students at the participating institutions, the intended benefit is access to educators with practical engine experience. Whether that leads to new classes, revised curricula, or more student projects remains unannounced.
Can students sign up for this programme?
The completed cohort trained university educators, not students. The announcement does not offer a public student intake.
How can a university express interest in future training?
Educators, universities, and organisations can contact Abu Dhabi Gaming at hello@adgaming.com about future programmes or collaboration. Further cohorts remain under consideration, with no confirmed schedule.
