Official launch of the CIES University Network Alumni Association worldwide
During the closing ceremony of the 17th edition of the FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sport Management organised by Cairo University, Egypt, on 21st June 2025, CIES officially launched the CIES University Network Alumni Association (CIES-UNA). The association aims to bring together former students of the FIFA/CIES International University Network Programme in Sport Management from around the world.
After two decades of activities in twenty countries, CIES has decided to give the 6,500 former students of the FIFA/CIES International Programmes the opportunity to connect with each other through a dedicated CIES University Network Alumni Association (CIES-UNA). The new organisation was officially presented in Cairo during the graduation ceremony for the students of the 17th edition of the Programme in Egypt. It should be noted that two former Egyptian students, Nasr El Din Azzam and Taha Diaey, played an active role in setting up this association.
These 6500 former students of the FIFA/CIES International Programme , who represent more than 130 nationalities, are active in the field of sport (90%), and particularly football (70%). As employees or volunteers, they hold positions of responsibility within sports entities of all kinds, including international federations, continental organisations, national federations, regional or local associations, leagues, clubs, government bodies, municipalities, NGOs and companies linked to the sports industry.
For Vincent Schatzmann, CIES Secretary General, the main objective of the new CIES-UNA was to, ‘develop and strengthen links between our former students, who constitute a tremendous wealth of knowledge, skills and experience in all areas of sports management and in many countries. They now have at their disposal a unique structure for exchanging, meeting and developing new initiatives.
Judith Jiménez, member of the CIES-UNA Executive Committee and Director of the Escuela de Educación Física y Deportes at the University of Costa Rica, explained, "As a former student of the first edition of the FIFA/CIES International Network Programme in Costa Rica, I can testify to the importance of this training for sport in my country and in Central America. Networking and exchanges are an essential element. They allow students to broaden their horizons, better understand their sports organisation and respond to its needs. I am, therefore, delighted to be involved in the creation of this association, which will undoubtedly play an important role for all of us former students, but only if we actively contribute to its development."
It should be noted that the FIFA/CIES International University Network already organises and supports various activities for its students and alumni, such as meetings during the FIFA World Cup, LATAM study trips organised in conjunction with major sporting events (Olympic and Paralympic Games, Pan American and Parapan American Games, Copa América, Copa Libertadores, FIFA U-20 World Cup, FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, for example) and the ‘More than a Diploma’ webinars.
We now invite all former students of the FIFA/CIES International University Network Programmes to become members of CIES-UNA to create a strong, dynamic and ambitious association. Further information on the CIES-UNA and how to join will be announced shortly.
