A FISU senior delegation visited China and Korea strengthening relationships, exploring new ideas, and keeping preparations on track for the Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade and the Chungcheong 2027 FISU World University Games.
Led by Secretary General and CEO Matthias Remund, and joined by Chief Sports Officer Shen Zhen and Sustainability and FISU Master Director Delise O’Meally, the visit was as much about people and ideas as it was about planning the road ahead to the 2027 FISU main sport events.
In Changchun, the atmosphere was one of exploration and possibility. At Jilin University, discussions with Chairman Tian Hui, opened the door to a potential new partnership, grounded in a shared interest in developing the next generation of sport leaders.
Shen Zhen, FISU Chief Sports Officer, Delise O’Meally, FISU Sustainability and FISU Master Director, Matthias Remund FISU Secretary General and CEO, Yang Bo, Dean of Graduate School Jilin University and Qiu Peng, Dean of School of Physical Education.
Matthias Remund outlined FISU’s broader vision – from international competitions and talent development to the Healthy Campus programme – sparking an engaging exchange of ideas. A meeting with Changchun Mayor Gu Gang added another layer to the visit, focusing on the practical steps and collaboration needed to bring the Changchun 2027 Winter Universiade event to life.
The Chinese part of the trip concluded in Beijing, where conversations continued in a spirit of openness and curiosity. At Peking University, the delegation met President Gao Song and faculty members to explore how sport and education can evolve together.
Later, at the headquarters of the Federation of Chinese University and School Sports (FOCUSS), representatives from leading universities gathered around the same table in a meeting organised by Cheng Dongshen FOCUSS Vice President and Secretary General. The meeting included sport leaders from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Normal University, China University of Geo-Sciences, and China University of Chinese Medicine who shared perspectives, ambitions and ideas on how to strengthen university sport – not just in China, but across the wider international community.
The next stop, in Seoul, brought a clear sense of forward movement. At Kookmin University, conversations turned into action with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding – laying the foundation for collaboration in postgraduate sport management education.
While in Korea, the delegation also met with organisers of the Chungcheong 2027 FISU World University Games, namely Organising Committee Vice President Changseop Lee, and newly appointed Secretary General Jungwoo Lee where discussions offered a glimpse into the energy building behind the scenes as preparations gather pace.
Across each stop, the visit told a consistent story: of partnerships taking shape, of shared ambitions, and of a growing network committed to advancing university sport on a global stage.