According to its contractual duties, the CIES offers two or three conferences in each FIFA/CIES Sport Management Programme, organised by its academic partners. The conferences aim to give an international “taste” to the courses mainly based on local realities. They also enable the exchange of experiences and give to students new practical ideas, which will enhance and professionalise sport management in the specific national country of the programme.
The list of speakers on the International University Network includes about 50 professors and experts working in fields closely related to the content of the programme (law, marketing, communication, event management, etc.). These speakers come from many sport organisations (FIFA, IOC, CAS, EPFL, etc.) and others specialised in the industry of sport. In order to give a wider view to students, the CIES would like to invite stakeholders active in other fields of activity (sport and disability, history, sport development, sport and racism, etc.) to contribute to the programme.
The success of the international conferences to students is encouraging according to the online rating system. Among the most appreciated factors, we can name the speakers level of expertise, the usefulness of the topics, the balance between theory and practice, the relevance of industry examples, and finally the interaction between students and speakers.
For the next few years, the CIES will focus on increasing the number of experts related to FIFA, diversify and enhance the conference topics, and finally strengthen the exchange of speakers between academic partners.
Guillermo Ricaldoni
Marketing & Commercial Director
Sports & Entertainment, IMG Argentina
“It is an honour and a pleasure but also a great responsibility to contribute to the education of future sport managers and the professionalisation of the sport world. In every university where I was invited, I noticed a great involvement from the FIFA/CIES Programme coordinators as well as a thirst of learning from the students. Furthermore, the Programme gives you funny surprises. Like in Costa Rica... As I was wearing my suit, I met two students who played rugby in the sports centre of the university. After a few words, I began giving them some technical advice during 40 minutes... an unforgettable experience!”
Rory Steyn
General Director - Africa
Nicholls Steyn and Associates
“Being involved in the FIFA/CIES Programme as an international expert in the field of security is a privilege. In this regard, I fully appreciated the enthusiasm of students from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa and the ones from the Cairo University in Egypt, as well as their faculty of interacting with speakers and with themselves. As for the Programme, congratulations to FIFA! The knowledge and experiences of students, gained during cases studies, practical exercises and other workshops, are beneficial for their sports manager career. And we all know how much today the sports world needs first class professionals. A recommendation? The universities should focus even more on the different aspects of security in the module of event management. Some recent events prove the necessity.”
Jair Emanuel Bertoni
Head of Cabinet
European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL)
“The FIFA/CIES Programme gave me the opportunity to share my knowledge on professional football with interested students, who have the dynamism and the qualities required for improving the sector of football and other sports in their respective country, such as Egypt, Chile, Argentina or Spain. However, I also learned to listen to them. Their opinions and the different cultural and environmental factors which affect the local sport, contribute to the enhancement of the debate. Another quality of the Programme is the sense of hospitality from the directors and coordinators. As for the students, they are always keen to learn and already thinking how they can put into practice their experiences in their work at a national and international level. I think FIFA and CIES have a real understanding of what the sports industry needs on different continents. Finally, the FIFA/CIES Programme is perfectly defined in four words: Teach, discuss, listen and learn.”