From 12 to 13 September 2025, 126 students representing 75 National University Sport Federations (NUSFs) and 3 Continental University Sport Federations (CUSFs) were officially trained to become the new FISU Student Ambassadors.
The event opened with a warm welcome from FISU President Leonz Eder, who reminded the participants of the importance of dreaming big. That message became a recurring theme throughout the training, followed by an insightful session with Joshua Miethke, who shared his journey from being a FISU Student Ambassador from Germany to working at FISU Headquarters in Lausanne as FISU Summer Games Summer Assistant.
The first day of training focused on equipping the new cohort with essential FISU knowledge: branding, communication, and an introduction to the full scope of FISU events. The day concluded with an engaging conversation with FISU Secretary General Matthias Remund, who highlighted the importance of combining professionalism with enjoyment along the way.
Day two shifted to the Ambassadors themselves, with sessions on opportunities within FISU, inspiration for action plans, and training on media and communication tools connected to the programme.
Testimonies from alumni
The theme of dreaming was further emphasised through the testimonies of alumni and current Ambassadors: Bruno Negyeliczky (HUN), Adebayo Olatunde Bolaji (NIG, current participant in the Dream Together Programme), Innocent Kanyala (ZAM), and Lara Chehayeb (LEB). They shared how they balance dual careers with their roles in university sport, ranging from volunteering at international events to attending FISU World Forums and conferences, working in organising committees in our events, FISU committees, and moderating official sessions!
To provide the best possible foundation for the new Ambassadors, eight Team Leaders were elected for this season, representing four continents and eight different countries. They will support the Ambassadors throughout the year, guiding and mentoring them as they shape their action plans and maximise their impact in 2025.
The two days of training ended with the official announcement of all 126 new Ambassadors’ names, marking the start of their journey and creating a strong sense of unity across the global network!
Sahar Waeen, a new Student Ambassador from Pakistan who will combine her ambassador role with her judo career, captured the spirit of the weekend:
“As both an international judoka and a student, I am eager to share my journey of balancing sport and education, and to encourage others to embrace the dual career pathway where academic excellence and athletic achievement support one another. Through this role, I also hope to proudly represent Pakistan on the global stage and highlight the talent and potential of our youth.”
This year also brings historic milestones: for the first time, Guinea is represented in the programme, while the Ivory Coast returns for the first time since 2017. Felix Nianzou from Ivory Coast expressed his excitement:
“I’m convinced that this adventure will be incredibly enriching. As a passionate fan of team sports, especially football, I will work to highlight this discipline, which is widely practiced at my university, and promote my country on an international scale. I’m also looking forward to meeting other people in person to discover their culture, lifestyle, and history, and thus enrich my knowledge and experiences.”
The FISU Student Ambassadors are now active across these platforms: Instagram (www.instagram.com/fisuambassadors), and new for this year, LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/fisu-student-ambassadors/). While Instagram remain space where students themselves create more creative content, ranging from behind-the-scenes moments at sports events to fun facts and alumni updates, LinkedIn will showcase their work to the professional world, all driven by the Ambassadors themselves!
Make sure to follow them along their journey as FISU Student Ambassadors, and allow yourself to be inspired by their hard work, creativity, and great vibe!
Written by Johanna Wilhelmsson, pictures Selma Chiappe
Related News
The numbers behind FISU’s progress towards gender equality
“To succeed in your Dual Career, you need to be solutions-oriented”
Don’t miss the new FISU Dual Career webinars!
