Pr. Denis Oswald to be awarded Honorary Doctor of Laws by De Montfort University

Professor Denis Oswald, Director of the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), is to receive an honorary degree from De Montfort University, Leicester, later this week.

Professor Oswald, who is a senior member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and also Chair of the Co-ordination Commission for the London 2012 Olympic Games will be made an Honorary Doctor of Laws during a special graduation ceremony for the 11th edition postgraduates of the International MA in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport on Friday 15th July 2011. The award will be made by De Montfort University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor David Wilson during a graduation ceremony at the Château of Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

Professor Oswald is one of the leading legal and administrative figures in world sport. In addition to his senior role with the IOC, he is also President of the International Rowing Federation, President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations and an arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Formerly an outstanding oarsman, he was Swiss national champion 13 times, won a bronze medal at the 1968 Olympics Games and also competed at the 1972 Munich and 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Professor Oswald is Chair of the International MA in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport Scientific Committee. De Montfort University is a proud academic partner for the International MA, with the International Centre for Sports History and Culture delivering the Humanities of Sport module.

Professor Oswald said, “It is with great pleasure that I accept this honorary degree from De Montfort University. Through my position as Director of the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES), I have worked closely with the International Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University as we have collaborated on the FIFA Master postgraduate programme over the past eleven years. I know the strength and quality of the university, specifically in the academic study of sports history. I offer all of the 2011 De Montfort University graduating students my heartfelt congratulations.”

De Montfort University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Wilson, emphasised that the strength of the FIFA Master course owed a huge amount to the pivotal role played by Professor Denis Oswald: "Denis has provided inspirational leadership over a sustained period of time. He is someone who has contributed greatly to both the teaching and development of what is a widely acclaimed international course. Hundreds of graduates from the FIFA Masters owe Denis much and his accumulated wisdom continues to help shape the course. We at De Montfort University are proud to recognise Denis' contribution to both sport and education by awarding him an Honorary Degree.”