Along with the Summer Universiade, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) organises a four-day academic conference every two years. The Conference is one of FISU’s traditional events as the first edition was organised way back in 1960. This event is organised in cooperation with the highest local academic authorities ensuring the academic level and scientific contributions.

On July 14th, FISU 1st Assessor Mrs Alison Odell, Chair of the FISU Education Committee had the pleasure of opening the conference. After her welcome speech, FISU President Mr Claude-Louis Gallien, President of the Republic of Tatarstan Mr Rustam Minnikhanov, FISU Secretary-General Mr Eric Saintrond, Deputy Minister of Sports of Russia Mrs Natalia Parshikova and finally FISU 1st Vice-President and President of the Russian Russian Students Sport Union (RSSU) Mr Oleg Matytsin welcomed the participants at an academic session interspersed with cultural performances.

After the official opening ceremony, the first plenary session started with the three speakers of the day: Mr Gallien, Mrs Parshikova and finally Mr Jean Durry, sports historian. All three presented the main theme of the conference – ‘University Sport and Olympic Sport: two models - one goal?’ from a different angle.

Subthemes of this year's conference were:

- Historical, cultural and social aspects of University and Olympic sport

- Legacy benefits of staging a Universiade or Olympic Games

- Dual career issues for student-athletes

- The role of Media in University and Olympic sport

- Traditional and innovative technologies in University and Olympic sport

- Leading a healthy lifestyle: how can University and Olympic sport contribute?

- The place of sport in different educational systems

- Women in University and Olympic sport

The second day of the FISU conference kicked off on the morning of July 15 at Main International Centre with lectures about the history of student sport and the recent changes in sports journalism. PProfessor Ilshat Gafurov, the Rector at Kazan Federal University, gave the first lecture. His speech was on the historical traditions and the development of university sport at the Kazan Federal University at the current stage.

The second lecture was given by Alan Abrahamson, a lecturer of communication and journalism at the University of Southern California. He shared his experiences in the field as a well-known writer and journalist, with his co-written book about Michael Phelps currently on the New York Times bestsellers list.

Gender and Healthy Lifestyle Issues were the highlight of the third day of the FISU Conference. The first plenary session, “Women in University and Olympic Sport” began with a presentation from Etsuko Ogasawara (JPN). Ogasawara discussed the Brighton Declaration and shared modern success stories related to the movement of increasing the participation of women in sport. Ogasawara encouraged those in attendance to educate future leaders and create new opportunities for women in sport. Following Ogasawara’s presentation, the Brighton Declaration was signed by Mr Oleg Matytsyn on behalf of the Russian Students Sport Union (RSSU).

The second plenary session, “How Can University and Olympic Sport Contribute to a Healthy Lifestyle?” consisted of presentations from Yannis Pitsiladis (GBR), Leter Lynen (GER) and Nico Sperle (GER). Pitsiladis shared data and studies demonstrating the declining health benefits that can result from a lack of sport participation. Pitsiladis recommended that there is an urgent need for University and Olympic sports to create a symbiotic relationship to reverse these negative trends. Similarly, Lynen and Sperle suggested that sport and physical activities contribute to the prevention of negative health effects, and that the Universiades could serve as a promotional platform to encourage sport and physical activity.

The FISU Conference concluded on the day of the Closing Ceremony of the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan on July 17, 2013.

For more information, please see www.fisu.net.