This flagship programme, housed within the Department of Human Movement Science, has been running successfully for 18 years and has gained international recognition for its unique, integrated approach to sports management.
This year the department was honoured to host international guests as part of knowledge-sharing and benchmarking efforts, said Dr Aayesha Kholvadia, Head of the Department of Human Movement Science.
King Saud University (KSU) in Saudi Arabia have recently been added to the CIES International University Network and will be commencing with the first edition of their programme in sport management later this year.
Dr Mohammad Aldosari (Programme Director KSU) and Abdulrahman Alsayyar (CIES Coordinator, Saudi Arabia) visited Mandela University in July to obtain information from the University’s team as to the way the Mandela CIES programme is presented and managed.
From left, Cameron Matebeni, Vernon Oosthuizen, Dr Mohammad Aldosari, Abdulrahman Alsayyar, Denver Hendricks and Professor Gulbeck Salmaan
Their visit focused on understanding the practical strategies, best practices, pedagogical approaches, and interdisciplinary collaboration, that underpin the success of the University’s programme, particularly with a view to replicating a similar model at KSU.
“The visit highlighted the global relevance of Mandela University’s academic model, our commitment to graduate attributes, such as innovation, social engagement, and lifelong learning, and our capacity to be a thought leader in the discipline.
“We were proud to share our journey, the evolution of CIES, and the impact it continues to have on our students, local communities, and now, global colleagues, Dr Kholvadia said.
This collaboration speaks not only to the quality of Mandela University’s work but also to its vision of being a dynamic African university, rooted in inclusivity and excellence. We look forward to continued partnerships and the ongoing growth of the CIES programme, she said.