Epic Games has trained 14 university educators in Abu Dhabi in Unreal Engine as part of a three-week programme aimed at bringing practical game development skills into classrooms. The initiative was conducted in partnership with Abu Dhabi Gaming and brought together faculty members from seven educational institutions across the emirate.
The programme, known as Train the Trainer, combined technical instruction with hands-on projects and teaching exercises. Educators worked on game development projects and took part in weekly teach-back sessions, where they practised explaining the skills they had learned.
According to Abu Dhabi Gaming, the programme was announced on October 12, 2026. It was also the first time the training was held outside Unreal's training facility in Serbia.
The 14 participants were selected from Abu Dhabi University, Zayed University, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), UAE University (UAEU) and HCT.
This group of participants included instructors from various sectors such as arts, computer science, and game development. The focus of the program was to enable participants to grasp the knowledge about Unreal Engine and be able to train others using this knowledge.
Instead of only focusing on learning about the software in the program, participants were also given an opportunity to do assignments and present their understanding. This was done to prepare the instructors to incorporate real time development tools and gaming in their lessons. Unreal Engine is a real time 3D creation tool that was developed by Epic Games.
David Garcia, Epic Games Partner and Education Advisor, attended the programme's final presentations in Abu Dhabi.
“The progress demonstrated by the cohort over three weeks was impressive. Participants combined technical learning with practical projects and teaching exercises, providing a strong foundation for the next stage of their development,” Garcia said.
The programme sought to build teaching capacity alongside technical expertise, allowing participating educators to take their learning back to their respective institutions.
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Abu Dhabi Gaming may consider organizing more Train the Trainer programs, based on demand from academic institutions. Dates, number of participants, and other information about the next program cohort have not yet been announced.
It is one of the initiatives of the organization within its activities to build capacity and to enhance the gaming industry of Abu Dhabi. Working with universities, the program seeks to increase access to the required knowledge and to develop the professionals of the future.
A specific time frame for changes in the curricula of universities or projects involving students has not been announced yet. Universities and organizations that wish to collaborate in the future can contact Abu Dhabi Gaming at hello@adgaming.com.