The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 Transfer of Knowledge hosted by the Chungcheong 2027 FISU World University Games Organising Committee concluded on 30 October in Cheongju with a renewed vision for the next FISU Summer Games.
The event – four days of intensive dialogue, collaboration, and strategic planning – served as a vital platform for sharing operational insights and experiences from the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, held this past July, to the next host of the FISU Games in 2027.
The meeting brought together representatives from the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 Organising Committee, and key stakeholders from the Chungcheong 2027 Organising Committee. Discussions spanned across major Functional Areas, including Venue Management, Sport, Transportation, Arrival and Departure, Planning, Communication and Media, etc., with additional contributions from athletes, volunteers, and field staff who participated in the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games.
“This knowledge sharing is not just a report of results”, emphasised Chungcheong 2027 OC President Kang Chang-hee in his opening speech. “It is a place where we exchange experience and knowledge about university sports, symbolising ongoing collaboration and solidarity. Rhine-Ruhr 2025 was very impressive, with many cities working together to show the true value of university sports. This will help us build a strong base for the Chungcheong event. I hope today’s meeting will help us learn, inspire us, and start new challenges for everyone.”
Chungcheong 2027 OC Vice-President Lee Chang Seop echoed the sentiment, highlighting the practical value of the exchange: “By sharing specific examples and lessons learned through this transfer of knowledge, we will be able to further refine our strategic plans and improvements for the Chungcheong 2027 event. We will reflect the practical experience gained from this opportunity, incorporate the warm spirit of host cities to create an event that offers genuine meaning and unforgettable memories for all participants.”
FISU acting as a bridge
Jing Zhao, FISU Summer Games Director, encouraged the Chungcheong team to look beyond logistics and embrace the values behind operational decisions: “As we prepare for the Chungcheong 2027 FISU Games, instead of only learning what and how Rhine-Ruhr delivered their event, please try to understand why they made certain choices. And FISU will be with you, to serve as a bridge, helping translate European operational logic into Korean reality. Our role is to interpret, mediate, and connect practices across editions and stories, so that each FISU Games builds upon the last while expressing its own unique identity.”
Niklas Börger, CEO of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to contribute:”It has been a privilege to share our journey with the Chungcheong team. We are grateful for the warm welcome and the genuine interest shown in our experiences. This meeting reflects the true spirit of university sports, collaboration, learning, and mutual respect. We look forward to seeing how Chungcheong 2027 builds on this foundation to create something truly special.”
With the conclusion of the meeting, the Chungcheong OC now turns its focus to integrating these insights into the planning and delivery of the Chungcheong 2027 FISU World University Games, scheduled for 1-12 August 2027 across Daejeon, Sejong, Chungcheongbuk-do, and Chungcheongnam-do. The event is expected to welcome 15,000 participants competing in 18 sports, and aims to deliver a truly global celebration of university sport.