World Forum focuses on elite sports and higher education
For many years, Mid Sweden University has worked to enable elite athletes to combine their sporting ambitions with academic studies. At the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World Forum 2026 in Östersund on 24 to 28 August dual careers will be at the centre of the discussion.
“We have extensive experience of supporting students pursuing dual careers and understand the challenges of balancing higher education with elite sport. For Mid Sweden University, the FISU World Forum is an opportunity both to share our experience and to learn from international expertise on how the future of university sport and dual career pathways can be developed,” says Agnes Wredenberg, Director of the Sports Academy at Mid Sweden University.
Mid Sweden University is hosting the international forum together with several regional and national partners. The event is expected to attract around 200 participants from approximately 50 countries.
One of the forum’s three main themes focuses on how universities can create better conditions for student-athletes to combine academic studies with elite sport. Keynote speakers include several internationally recognised experts in the field, among them Lukas Linnér from Halmstad University and Miquel Torregrossa from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
Wellbeing is key
“Dual careers must be planned within supportive environments that promote athletes’ mental health. In general, the greatest challenge for universities is balancing demand with the services and facilities they provide, so that student-athletes can maintain high levels of wellbeing,” says Miquel Torregrossa.
Support measures may include flexible study pacing, the possibility of rescheduling examinations, and more adaptable study pathways. Students are also offered physiological testing, sport psychology counselling, career guidance and nutritional advice.
130 elite athletes are students
One of the students who has chosen to combine higher education with an elite sporting career is biathlete Emma Nilsson. She is competing at international level and has been studying towards a degree in economics since 2021.
“I think the opportunity to focus on dual careers is excellent. Being able to adapt your study pace and reschedule exams makes it much easier to gain a qualification while simultaneously pursuing an elite sporting career. For many athletes, that support is invaluable,” says Emma.
As a Swedish National Elite Sports University, Mid Sweden University offers flexible study arrangements and dedicated support for elite athletes. The impact is clearly reflected in the statistics. Since 2018, the number of elite athlete students has increased from 73 to 130, including 10 international students, representing the highest level to date.
“The FISU World Forum gives us a unique opportunity to bring together research, education and sport in a global conversation about health and sustainable development. I hope the forum will contribute to strengthening the continued development of our elite sports environments and help us maintain the high quality of what we do,” says Vice-Chancellor Anders Fällström of Mid Sweden University.
Programme FISU World Forum.
FISU World Forum on Instagram.
Official website FISU.
Contact:
Agnes Wredenberg, Director, Sports Academy, Mid Sweden University, agnes.wredenberg@miun.se, +46 72 581 87 22
Anders Fällström, Vice-Chancellor, Mid Sweden University, anders.fallstrom@miun.se, +46 10 142 86 40
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