The FIFA Master is a unique 10-month sport (and not solely football...) Master programme, initiated by FIFA, coordinated by CIES, and taught by three prestigious European universities: De Montfort University (Leicester, UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Milan, IT) and Neuchatel University (Neuchatel, CH), in association with the Università della Svizzera italiana.
What is your current professional activity and your involvement in sport?
I'm the Project Manager of Playmaker Sports Marketing Company in İstanbul.
Why did you choose to attend the FIFA/CIES Sport Management Program at Bahcesehir University?
Because I wanted to consider the issue of sport in my business life. I saw the advertisement of the FIFA/CIES program, then I just applied for the registration form.
What were your expectations before the start of the course? and… were they met?
To learn sports marketing, sports management and event management, and my expectations were met. I want to say thank you to the teaching staff once again.
What would you say are the key strengths of the FIFA/CIES Sport Management Program?
I think this certificate is very important for the sports business. The modules of Management, Marketing, Communication, and Event Management, in particular, were really perfect.
What benefits (on a personal and/or professional level) did you gain from attending the course?
I found my job after the attending this course. I have met people who have an excellent career in the sports business and it was really very interesting to listen their ideas. Our teachers were really professional.
What is your best memory/highlight of the course?
In the communication module, the project manager of the UEFA Cup Istanbul 2009, Orhan Gorbon, was our guest. He showed us what the Turkish Football Federation did for the UEFA Cup Final and what UEFA wanted from them.
Also during the Management Module, one of UEFA Venue Directors, Guiseppe Rizzello (he was the General Secretary of İnternazionale Milano) was our guest, and his lesson was really perfect.
Would you recommend the FIFA/CIES Sport Management Programme? Why?
If somebody wants to immerse themselves in the sport business, of course, I can recommend FIFA/CIES Sport Management Program. Because it's the perfect opportunity to meet teachers and guests.
CIES (International Centre for Sports Studies), located in Neuchatel, is a private Swiss foundation, affiliated with the University of Neuchatel and created in 1995 by FIFA (under the impetus of its current president, Mr. Joseph S. Blatter), the University of Neuchatel, and the City and Canton of Neuchatel.
CIES specialises in three specific domains: law, sociology and economy of sport, with a view to bring together the sporting and the academic worlds. Privileging a pluri-disciplinary approach, CIES provides a wide range of research, education and consultancy services.