Category Archives: Education

H20 welcomes third edition of Samsung Innovation Campus with livestream kick-off

On October 17, 2024, we welcomed the Samsung to our H20 Esports Campus venue, the largest permanent Esports stadium in Western Europe. For the third edition of the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC)!

This technology program provides 90 youth between the ages of 12 and 17 with essential coding and programming skills. In an intensive game-based program, they get to work with Minecraft Code Builder, Scratch, Gamemaker and RUR-PLE, among others to prepare themselves for the digital future.

Following the success of previous editions in 2022 and 2023, with as many as 75 and 80 students participating, the Samsung Innovation Campus is further expanding its program this year. Samsung is thus taking a step forward to make technology accessible to a wider group of young people, with a special focus on those outside the mainstream education system.

Innovative collaboration with H20 Esports Campus

The H20 Esports Campus in Purmerend provides a unique setting for the trainings, where young people are introduced to digital skills in a stimulating and future-oriented environment. The choice of this location is in line with Samsung's vision to make technology accessible and inspiring to young people throughout the Netherlands and give every child equal opportunities.

Four locations in the Netherlands

In order to provide access to as many young people as possible from different regions, the trainings are offered not only in Purmerend, but also in Eindhoven, Utrecht and Rotterdam. Each student receives 10 three-hour lessons in which they learn programming and coding, with the support of experienced teachers and mentors. This gives them the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience.

Kick-off with live stream on Oct. 17

The kick-off took place on Oct. 17, 2024, and was presented by Samsung ambassador and esports icon Puck van den Brekel, better known as "puxque." She inspired the youngsters with her experience and enthusiasm for technology. For the first time, the kick-off was streamed live so that participants who could not physically attend could follow the event and witness the start of the program.

This intensive training ends in December 2024 with a celebratory graduation ceremony where participants will receive their certificates. This certificate reflects not only the skills they have acquired, but more importantly their commitment and perseverance.

Inclusiveness and future-oriented education

Samsung is committed to making technology education more accessible to young people, with a particular focus on those outside the mainstream education pathway. The Samsung Innovation Campus gives them the opportunity to gain valuable digital skills and get ready for an ever-changing job market. In 2023, for example, as many as eight participants were able to work at various tech companies & start-ups after participating in the Samsung Innovation Campus. Thus, they took their first step towards a job in the IT sector.

The third edition of the Samsung Innovation Campus offers young people a unique opportunity to develop their digital skills in an inclusive and inspiring environment. With this edition, Samsung remains committed to the future of the next generation of technology talent in the Netherlands

Mediacollege Amsterdam launches esports education lab at H20 Esports Campus

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Mediacollege Amsterdam and H20 Esports Campus in Purmerend will start an esports education lab in September 2020. Students, teachers and the field will develop an esports education program. The students will play a role in the production, broadcasting and livestreaming of esports and gaming events with everything that comes with it, including construction and dismantling, production, content creation and camera work.

E-sports and media
Esports and gaming are the fastest growing parts of the global entertainment industry. The professions of the future are emerging within esports, with common ground across the media industry. Think of director, video editor, GFX designer, broadcast producer, camera operator, floor manager, event manager and in-game cameraman (a new game-related discipline). The H20 Esports Campus brings these disciplines together in an ecosystem, both from education, start-ups and esports, and gaming and creative tech (related) companies. From the vision that gamers, esports players and influencers are the developers of the future, the campus functions as a booster for the further development of esports and the media industry in The Netherlands.

Hybrid training

Within the Mediacollege Amsterdam, there is a large group of students from various programmes who are interested in this world that is yet to be discovered and developed. Martijn Groep, member of the Executive Board: "Developments are rapid and the boundaries of media professions are fading. 

If we want to link up with these developments, cooperation with the professional field is a requirement. That is why we are starting a so-called 'hybrid excellence trajectory' at H20. This learning environment will take the form of a lab, with space for research and experiments in the field of esports and gaming. It will also be a place for learning in co-creation with the start-ups within H20. In this way, our students will be introduced to multiple facets of the industry and receive a broad and flexible education."

New jobs created by gaming and esports

Joost Roset, on behalf of H20 responsible for esports productions and broadcasting, is also happy with the cooperation: "On the H20 Esports Campus there are many opportunities: students can develop themselves in new disciplines that have common ground with the existing courses within the Mediacollege Amsterdam and within their own field of interest. Because they are often fanatical gamers themselves, we expect great interest. We are therefore looking forward to the start in September."

About H20 Esports Campus:

H20 will be a platform for Developing the Next Generation through gaming, esports and creative tech. Esports is a strong growth market with which youth and young adults feel strongly connected. The H20 Campus brings worlds together and explicitly connects with personal development, competition and education. Gamers, esporters and influencers are the developers of the future. H20 is fast becoming the largest esports & gaming centre in Europe.

About Mediacollege Amsterdam:

The Mediacollege Amsterdam (Ma) is a professional school for media studies. For over 100 years, Ma has been training students for a career in the media and other creative sectors. These include design, theatre technology, games, image and sound, and programming. For students who want to broaden or deepen their knowledge, Ma offers excellence programmes such as projects and talent programmes. In short: education with added value. The esports education lab at H20 is a good example of this.