International University Sports Federation (FISU) met in Taipei City on October 19 and 20, 2016, the host city of the 29th Summer Universiade in 2017. The meeting was accompanied also by a few FISU Commission and working meetings.

The sessions began with the report of the President of FISU Mr Oleg Matytsin. In his report, the FISU President presented the outlook for the university sports movement, welcoming arrival of new partners and announcing gradual introduction of new formats and sports concepts including universities. As was done with the Basketball 3x3 and cooperation with FIBA, FISU is now in discussion with FIFA for the creation of a football league as well as the World Rugby Federation for introducing a Rugby 7s event. The President emphasized the need to strengthen links with universities. Likewise he pointed out the importance of a good cooperation with the International Olympic Committee, UNESCO and WADA.



The meeting continued with the reports of FISU Treasurer Mr Danzandorj Baysgalan and Secretary General/CEO Mr Eric Saintrond. It was pointed out that besides current financial stability, the upcoming five Universiades lay a strong path in securing the future of the federation. Also the ‘Synathlon’ project was reported on; facility that will host the FISU headquarters from the beginning of 2018 onwards.



Mr Leonz Eder, 1st Vice-President of FISU and the President of the Committee for the Development of University Sport (CDSU) presented his report, pointing out the need for collaboration with the Continental Associations (CUSF) and noting that the Continental Associations are becoming more dynamic and grow in a very professional manner. The CDSU will continue to help CUSF supporting some of their projects, by setting up a swot analysis and organizing seminars. Similarly, CDSU will help member federations. To do so, a survey was launched with FNSU to better identify their needs and specificities.



Mrs Verena Burk, 1st Assessor and Chair of the Media and Communication Committee, together with Mr Dejan Susovic, FISU COO and the Media Director then took the floor to present, among other things, the television communication plan for the upcoming Universiades, with media production and live broadcast availability. Also the Young Reporters’ Programme was presented, celebrating its fourth edition in Taipei in August next year.



Mrs Burk, also the Chair of the FISU Education Committee, together with Mr Kole Gjeloshaj, Director of Education Services, continued with positive evaluation of the first edition of the ‘International Day of University Sport’ proclaimed by UNESCO and celebrated on September 20. This first edition was celebrated in more than 60 countries, as a result of the cooperation between FISU, UNESCO and the members. The anti-doping programme implemented jointly with WADA was also highlighted as a great initiative and cooperation between the two governing bodies. It is also very welcoming to see that the two upcoming Universiades (Almaty and Taipei) will each host an academic conference.



Mrs Hilkka Poyhonen, Chair of the Student Committee presented the action plan of the Committee for the next four years, highlighting the following points: strengthening relations with international sports federations and youth organizations; developing skills of future youth leaders; ensure a better representation of students within continental and national federations and finally to increase the visibility of the FISU among the student community in particular using new means of communication.



Mrs Rosaura Mendez, Chair of the Committee for Gender Equality also took the floor together with the Vice-Chair Mrs Penninah Kabenge, presenting the strategic plan for the period 2015-2019. Statistical analysis related to the representation of women in the different structures of FISU was presented, and the launch of the next edition of the ‘Gender Equality’ Awards announced. These will be awarded at the next General Assembly, honouring projects submitted by NUSFs supporting projects in the following categories: university, national and continental.



The members of the Executive Committee had the opportunity to listen to the progress report of the 29th Summer Universiade to be held in August 2017 with the presentation by the Taipei City delegation, lead by Chief Executive Officer Mrs Li Chiung-Su.



The first day of the FISU Executive Committee meeting in Taipei city concluded with a meeting and reception with Vice President of Chinese Taipei Mr Chen Chien-Jen and Mr Ko Wen-je, Mayor of the Taipei City, together with the Organising Committee of the Taipei Universiade.



The second day of the meeting started on October 20 with the presentation of the strategic development plan that FISU intends to follow during the next 10 years. This strategic development plan requires the constitution of 6 working groups involving 86 people (25 women and 61 men) from 37 countries on 5 continents. Each group will be asked to contribute in various predefined fields also using the SWOT Analysis method. The work of these groups will define the strategy to be followed by FISU during the 2017-2027 period and will be presented to the participants of the next FISU General Assembly in August 2017.



The 2017 Winter Universiade in Almaty formed the next topic on the agenda. The members of the Supervisory Committee and the Chair of the International Technical Committee presented their internal reports. The delegation of Almaty then took the floor to present its progress report, lead by Mr Ruslan Assaubayev, a Deputy Directors of the Organising Committee. Mr Kairat Zakiryanov, member of the FISU Executive Committee and member of the Organising Committee of the Universiade in Almaty presented the ‘FISU World Conference: Innovation - Education – Sport’, to be held on 3 and 4 February, 2017 in Almaty.



Next on the agenda was the progress report of the 2019 Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk. Overall, the delegates of FISU are very confident for the rest of the preparation of the event. The Krasnoyarsk delegation lead by its CEO Mr Maxim Urazov presented the milestones that will be developed in the coming months as the schedule of test events and the master plan.



Then the floor was given to the representatives of the 2019 Summer Universiade Organizing Committee to be held in Naples. Due to the late attribution of the event, a partnership with EPIC was assured to assist the Organising Committee in the first phases. The Organisers will soon present the management and marketing plan and host the first inspection visits for the FISU delegates.



The meeting concluded with the reports of the World University Championships. Review of the 2016 season was presented, with an outlook for 2018. With respect to the 33 WUCs scheduled in 2016, 28 have already taken place while 5 others are still to be held. Participation is very good with already over 5.500 participants. A seminar for the 2018 WUC organizers will be held in the course of next year and some changes will be introduced for future editions, including a reduction in the number of events (and sports), with grouping of come sports in clusters, conversion of certain sports to leagues. 2020 will see 25 WUCs, 2 grouped events (martial arts and brain sports) and 2 leagues (3x3 basketball, football).



The meeting was attended also by the President of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) Mr Adam Roczek as the CUSF representative for Europe. The next FISU Executive Committee meeting will be held in Almaty in 2017 just prior to the opening of the Winter Universiade.

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