NMMU celebrates its students!

This has been a very busy week at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth (South Africa), a CIES partner since 2006. The 5th edition of the FIFA/CIES Programme was inaugurated in the presence of Solomon Mudege, an alumnus who today works at FIFA Headquarters. Furthermore, diplomas were awarded to the 20 students who successfully completed the 4th edition of the sports management curriculum.

The 28 students enrolled for the 5th FIFA/CIES programme had the pleasure of attending the inaugural conference by Solomon Mudege, on FIFA and its sponsorship system.  It is noteworthy that 6 students hail from foreign countries (Namibia, Kenya, Nigeria and Lesotho). The youngest student is just 23, while the oldest has already celebrated his 60th birthday…  Finally, for the first time in the history of the Programme, a father and his daughter will be studying the principles of sports management together…

Moreover, the 20 students who successfully completed the 2010 edition were awarded their diplomas (5 graduated with honours) - after having participated in 4 intensive weeks of classes in Port Elizabeth - during a ceremony presided by Prof. Piet Naudé, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at NMMU. Professor Naudé emphasized that the growing importance of sport in modern society over the last two decades has compelled the academic world to show always greater interest in sporting topics, whether through teaching or research. He paid tribute to the pioneering role played by NMMU, a status confirmed by its partnership with CIES.

Guest speaker Russell Domingo, assistant coach of the Proteas (South Africa's national cricket team), told students about the importance of management principles and ethics in his sports career, which took him from amateur teams to the media prestige of major professional sides.

Congratulations and best wishes for future success to: Derrick, Faik, Antoniu, Godwin, Sphiwo, Madela, Johnny, Kurt, Lumko, Vuyisile, Zonwabele, Samantha, Gquma, Kholiswa, Alice, Sithembiso, Brandon, Calvin, Einstein and Moegamat.