The European Athlete as Student network (EAS) held its annual Conference and General Assembly in Rome, Italy between September 11 and 13, 2014.



The event was held at the University of Rome “Foro Italico” and it celebrated the 10th anniversary of EAS. It was organised with the support of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The main aim of EAS is to support European athletes in combining high performance sport and education. Members and partners of EAS strive to optimise the training conditions for student thletes and making it possible for them to get an education or vocational training, so that they have a safe platform to start from when their sports career is over.



The European University Sports Association (EUSA) has been represented at the Conference and Assembly by Mr Andrej Pisl, Communications and Projects Manager. Present were also other guests working in the field of sports in higher education, namely the representative of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Mr Kole Gjeloshaj and representative of the European Network of Academic Sport Services (ENAS) Ms Margo de Lange.



The participants were welcomed by the EAS President of EAS Mr Tibor Kozsla, Rector of the University of Rome Foro Italico Mr Fabio Pigozzi, President of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) Mr Giovanni Malago and representatives of the Italian Parliament, National and Local Government.



The main theme of the Conference was Dual Career Ambassadors for an Innovation Society. The Conference started with the presentation of EU Policy on Dual Career, made by Ms Agata Dziarnowska from the Sport Unit of the European Commission, DG Education and Culture.



Dual career in Italy was the next topic, with speakers from CONI, University of Trento and University of Torino. Dual Career Ambassadors spoke next - Mrs Josefa Idem and Ms Laura Coccia, both Members of Italian Parliament; Mr Gaetano Carboni from MasterCard and Daniele Masala from University of Cassino and Southern Lazio – all former athletes.



As good practice examples, two special Bachelors’ and Masters’ study programmes were introduced, one by CONI School of Sport and one by INSEP. The EU Project WINNER Educational Model has been introduced next, followed by the workshop on the topic.



The conference concluded with the topic of Dual Careers in Europe, presented by the representatives of the invited organisations – ENAS, EUSA, FISU and Uni-Med. Mr Pisl presented the European University Sports Association, its views on dual careers, EUSA projects and events, with special focus on the European Universities Games.



EAS also held its electoral assembly in Rome. EAS members elected Mrs Laura Capranica as the new President, along with other board members. Mr Joerg Foerster is the new Secretary General of the organisation and Mrs Mojca Doupona-Topic the new Treasurer.



At the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of EAS, Mr Pisl presented a special commemorative EUSA award to the outgoing and incoming Presidents Mr Kozsla and Mrs Capranica.



Participants of the Conference and Assembly enjoyed also the guided tour of the Olympic stadium, CONI headquarters during the day and a special cultural programme in the evening.



EAS Conference and Assembly concluded with the Benght Nybelius Scholarship Presentations and Awarding at a Gala Dinner. The 2014 Benght Nybelius Scholarship awardee is Ms Flavia Guidotti from Italy.

For more information about EAS, please see www.dualcareer.eu.