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Cologne Sports University: Efforts for the future of sport by 2030!
In 2024, Uni Sport Cologne will reflect on challenges, innovation and social relevance in sports science under Rector Thiel.
Cologne Sports University: Efforts for the future of sport by 2030!
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ansgar Thiel, Rector of the German Sport University Cologne for 438 days, looks back on a year of arrivals and departures in the foreword to the KOMPAKT 2024 annual report. During this time he got to know numerous colleagues, students and partners and recognized the strengths and challenges of the university. Thiel emphasizes the academic excellence, social relevance and passion for sport that characterize the German Sport University.
The challenges facing the university are diverse. These include budget consolidation, structural competitive disadvantages, ongoing construction projects and a tight labor market. Despite these challenges, Thiel attaches great importance to developing a culture of cooperation and openness to solutions. In addition, a new university development plan was initiated until 2030, the aim of which is to profile the German Sport University as Europe's leading sports university.
Research and teaching orientation
Thiel's vision focuses on excellent research, high-quality study programs and strong social roots. The focus is on the interlinking of research and teaching, as well as the development of modern teaching concepts. He emphasizes the need for third-party funding strategies and the internationalization of the university. In addition, the German Sport University should act as a social voice for sports science and be an advisory body in sport, politics and society. Thiel underlines the importance of sports science for key societal challenges, particularly with regard to health and exercise-promoting measures.
A notable project that the university supports is the “Sport-IE” project, which is funded under the EIT Higher Education Initiative. This plays a central role in the EU funding program Horizon Europe. The aim of the project, which starts in April 2025 and runs for two years, is to increase innovative strength in sports science by 2030. With a budget of 1.34 million euros, the focus is on promoting physical activity among the population.
Importance of sports science for society
An important goal of “Sport-IE” is to strengthen entrepreneurial skills in sports science and improve the employability of graduates. Specific measures include training and mentoring programs in cooperation with companies, public institutions and NGOs. The project addresses social challenges such as lack of exercise and chronic diseases and is intended to support particularly vulnerable population groups in order to reduce health inequalities and promote active lifestyles.
The German Sport University Cologne plays an important role not only in the academic area. Their expertise in exercise, health and education is also used to actively address social challenges.
In addition to research and teaching, the university is supported by the “Journal for Study and Teaching in Sports Science”, which focuses on the development of digital skills and the transfer of research into practice. This platform offers space for the exchange of scientific contributions on various topics in sports science and is a valuable instrument for promoting the quality of teaching and the training of sports teachers.
The combination of scientific excellence and active engagement with social issues forms the foundation of the German Sport University Cologne and provides impulses for the future of sports science in Europe.