With the application process open for the FISU Student Ambassadors programme 2025, we asked current participants from 5 continents about their experience.
Find out about the experience of current FISU Student Ambassadors, like these inspiring testimonies from Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Guatemala, Nigeria, the Netherlands or Sweden, and send in your application until 12 May 2025.
But first, a few words from FISU President, Leonz Eder: “Students, they are the core people for all our events, for the programmes, for the sport and educational events. That’s why we have to try to motivate and to engage the students, not only for FISU directly, but also in the national university sports federations, in the continental university sports federations. And that’s why the FISU Student Ambassadors programme is very important for FISU.”
And now, let’s dive in to the testimonies…
“Being a FISU Student Ambassador has given me an incredible experience”, says Chrislyn Julai, from Papua New Guinea. “Naomi (second ambassador for our country) and I were honoured to bring the International Day of University Sports celebration to Divine Word University, where we organised educational activities and a day of sports for the students in the campus. This experience has strengthened our passion for student engagement and we are looking forward to making it an annual event. This programme provided me with valuable opportunities to connect with students worldwide, develop my leadership skills and promote the power of university sports. I am truly grateful to be part of this programme.”
“As part of my action plan for university sports development in my country, I’ve been working on initiatives to enhance student participation in sports”, explain Minahil Ahmed from Pakistan. This includes organising intra-university tournaments, collaborating with local sports clubs to offer training sessions, and promoting sports scholarships to encourage more students to get involved. I’m also passionate about promoting FISU values and opportunities, as I believe they play a vital role in shaping the next generation of leaders and change-makers. By sharing my own experiences and the benefits I’ve gained from FISU events, I hope to inspire more students to get involved and take advantage of these incredible opportunities.”
“In my action plan project, I seek to promote professional sports among university students in Guatemala”, reports Jacob Valdemar Itzep Cumez. “Through seminars given by experts, I seek to increase motivation, promote sports planning, time management and leadership within and outside the competitive arena. In addition to training professional athletes, the project seeks to train them for a successful transition from a sports career to a life after a professional sports career.”
“FISU Student Ambassadors programme is an innovative and functional programme that offers students from all over the world the opportunity to develop leadership skills, help their community and connect with people from all over the world. The programme has given me the opportunity to collaborate with my university community, making me feel useful and capable. In my university career I have learned a lot about theory, however, FISU programme has helped me develop new practical skills and open me up to a world of possibilities that I was unaware of, which luckily, are very rewarding.”
“My FISU Student Ambassador Action Plan is centred around the theme “Empowering Student-Athletes Through Education, Inclusion, and Wellbeing.”, explains Olasubomi Ogundele from Nigeria. “The plan features four key focus areas that support student-athletes’ development both on and off the field. So far, I have completed two out of four bi-monthly webinars. During Webinar 1, we discussed time management, self-discipline, and institutional support systems for student-athletes. Real-life stories and interactive discussions made it a memorable and impactful session.”
“Webinar 2 focused on mental resilience, injury recovery, and well-being practices for student-athletes. Feedback from participants emphasized how the session gave them a better understanding of how to protect their mental health while competing at a high level.”
“This journey has reminded me of the power of conversation, community, and representation. As a student-athlete myself, I understand the challenges first hand, and through these webinars, I aim to provide practical support, inspiration, and resources to fellow students. With two webinars left — Volunteer Participation in University Sports and Female Inclusion in Sports — I’m excited to keep the momentum going and end strong!”
“Being the FISU Student Ambassador for the Netherlands is a huge privilege, especially as a non-Dutch citizen”, says Bruno Negyeliczky who is actually from Hungary.
“A defining moment of this year was competing in alpine skiing at the Torino 2025 FISU Games Winter in Italy—an unforgettable experience that mixed my athletic and ambassadorial roles. Looking ahead, I will continue working closely with my NUSF to expand our social media efforts and reach a wider audience for Rhine-Ruhr 2025.”
“Moreover, I am excited to further my involvement with FISU by undertaking my mandatory university internship at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 Organising Committee, gaining new insights from an operational perspective in the world of Protocol. I am truly grateful to my NUSF, FISU, Rhine-Ruhr 2025 OC, the FSA program coordinators, my mentor, and everyone involved in this journey, as they continuously help me learn, grow and improve.”
“Being a two-season FSA representing Sweden, and this year also a team leader, has meant the world to me”, rejoices Johanna Wilhelmsson. “FISU has taken me to Costa Rica and Zagreb for FISU World Forums, with the upcoming one in Sweden, while also giving me the opportunity to shape the programme through projects in the working group of the FISU Student Committee. I have worked with @fisuambassadors media and created posters featuring fantastic students. I led the Swedish delegation as Head of Delegation at a FISU Championship and was a mentee in the Springboard programme—two experiences that, combined with everything else, have shown me the incredible impact of university sports. Moving forward, I will continue working in university sports while also focusing on sports diplomacy and the vital role of sports in society!”
Tempted to join?
All member federations received the invitation and regulations to nominate their candidates to become the part of the FISU Student Ambassadors programme.
Following taking part in the FISU Student Ambassadors training on 12-13 September 2025, students are awarded the status of the FISU Student Ambassador in their respective countries for one year. They create individual action plans, to plan and deliver relevant and specific activity together with their NUSF/CUSF to support the development of university sport in their home country or continent.
Application process is open in the FISU Games Management system.
For more information please contact ambassadors@fisu.net.