The National University Sports Federation (NUSF) of Iran recently organised educational workshops titled ‘Introduction to FISU structure and events’, in partnership with the Sport Sciences Research Institute of Iran (SSRI). The exercise was undertaken with the aim of acquainting university students in the country with the international events organised by the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
The introduction to FISU included information about the structure of the organisation, as well as FISU’s sports and educational events, programmes and scholarships.
In order to promote the volunteer movement in Iran, the NUSF also formed a volunteer association with 70 student members from different universities, in partnership with Physical Education Administration. In addition, the Sport Sciences Research Institute of Iran established a volunteer association with 200 student members.
Future plans include holding educational courses and further webinars to develop a volunteer culture among these associations. As part of the first steps, two webinars were already held about the history of FISU; as well as its goals, structure and committees.
The first webinar focused on all FISU sport events including the summer and winter World University Games, World University Championships, University World Cups as well as the educational events including the FISU World Forum, FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy, FISU Conference and International Day of University Sport (IDUS).
Emphasis was also laid on FISU-NUSF projects, scholarships, the FISU Young Reporters Programme, FISU Student Committee, FISU Healthy Campus and the FISU-WADA anti-doping programme.
The second webinar was held with the aim of emphasising the importance of the presence of volunteers in holding sports events and teaching the principles of scientific management of volunteers.
Webinar topics included an introduction to volunteer concepts, including motivations, obstacles and characteristics of volunteers in sports events, volunteering process and volunteer management, introducing special considerations for volunteer management in various sports events, and principles of developing volunteer management programmes in sports events.
FISU Student Ambassador Mahdieh Seraji was the instructor of the webinars. NUSF President Dr. Mohammad Hossein Alizadeh, SSRI President Dr. Ali Sharifnezhad, the NUSF’s Vice President Dr. Marjan Saffari and Head of Volunteer Association Dr. Saleh Rafiee, also participated in the workshops and provided some practical content.