On 16 May, the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) and Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal (H.V.P.M.), India’s leading sports university, signed a partnership agreement, in a ceremony held on-line. The agreement was signed by RIOU Rector, member of the Russian Academy of Education Prof. Lev Belousov and H.V.P.M. Honorary General Secretary Shri P.A. Vaidya.
The document cemented the already existing educational links between the two universities. For example, Pranav Chendke, head of international relations at H.V.P.M., is a graduate from RIOU's Master of Sport Administration programme. He joined the course in 2019, and in the same year the first H.V.P.M. delegation arrived in RIOU.
Under the agreement, RIOU will use the Sochi 2014 information legacy, fundamental knowledge in the field of sports management, state-of-the-art educational technologies and modern teaching methods to facilitate the staff professional development at H.V.P.M. and various sporting organisations in India. A special emphasis will be placed on cooperation in sports research and expert exchange, organising student internships at the H.V.P.M. sports facilities and arranging mutual delegation visits.
Lev Belousov announced that RIOU will provide a scholarship to one H.V.P.M. nominee to study on its international Master of Sport Administration (MSA) course. The scholarship will cover the costs of tuition and accommodation at RIOU in academic year 2023/2024. He also invited other H.V.P.M. students to apply to the programme under the standard procedure, in which applicants are considered on a competitive basis.
RIOU Rector said:
“We have become the world’s first university to carry the word ‘Olympic’ in its name, and our status as a regional Olympic Studies and Research Centre has been confirmed by the IOC. The key advantage of RIOU’s educational programmes is their versatile and well-rounded curricula, which allow our graduates to find jobs in any sports management field, from running a sports club to managing a large venue. Over the 13 years, we have produced about 700 Master alumni, including 13 from India. I am delighted that a 14th student from India will join our MSA next September, in line with the long-lasting, mutually beneficial cooperation that our two countries have enjoyed.”
The signing ceremony was also attended by RIOU graduates: London 2012 participant Gagan Ullalmath, H.V.P.M.’s head of international relations Pranav Chendke, and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic prize winner Yuriy Nozdrunov.
Sharing his impressions, Pranav Chendke said:
“We are promoting education at the Olympic level. The knowledge and skills that I gained at RIOU are very important, and they were crucial when I spoke at UNESCO, addressing international delegations. Networking is another valuable aspect, as having classmates from 16 countries allows you to learn from different people and build contacts. What I found especially insightful was open lectures by renowned speakers that gave you an idea of how to implement the classroom knowledge. And the beach right next to RIOU’s campus was a great motivating factor, too.”
Yuriy Nozdrunov said:
“The experience of MSA was unforgettable for me. During the lectures, we learned how to use a creative approach and think critically. After graduation, I was able to win a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo – a top achievement in my sporting career. I believe this was partly due to my studies at RIOU, as my brain began to work faster.”
Gagan Ullalmath said:
“I stand as a testament of the transformative power of sport and education. Site visits to the Olympic venues offered us valuable practical insights, bridging the gap between theory and practice. RIOU provides its students with excellent education, as well as a nurturing environment, in terms of both studying and living conditions.”
The partnership agreement will be in effect until 2027, after which time it may be renewed.
RIOU Rector Lev Belousov invited the H.V.P.M. senior officials to take part in the events to kick-off the new academic year at the university in September. On their part, the Indian delegation invited RIOU’s representatives to attend the annual Dashera Festival Demonstrations of traditional Indian sports, organised by H.V.P.M. in October 2023.
Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal (H.V.P.M.) was established in 1914. It is located on a territory covering over 50 ha. The university’s largest sports facility is a stadium with 30,000 seats. In various years, H.V.P.M .was visited by national leaders Mahatma and Indira Gandhi, and India’s President Pratibha Patil. Since its inception, H.V.P.M. has concentrated on developing an ideal system of physical culture by integrating and assimilating positive elements of various cultures including India’s traditional systems.
