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Utrecht University, University of Tsukuba (Japan) and University of Johannesburg (South Africa) have established a new norm for international collaboration with the launch of the Global Master’s Programme (GMP) ‘Sport for development’.

During the official opening, Utrecht University vice-president prof. Annetje Ottow emphasized the uniqueness of this programme: the students will go on a joint learning journey, in which they acquire knowledge about Sport for Development from various perspectives and in which they experience various forms of education and research methods, as well as managing diversity. The programme consists of three four-week country visits: in the Netherlands (February 2018), Japan (July/August 2018) and South Africa (February/March 2019).

Societal transformation

The official opening was attended by the international GMP-students, various professors from University of Tsukuba and University of Johannesburg, and Utrecht University staff. Prof. Honda (University of Tsukuba) addressed in his speech the aim of the programme: educating the future global sport leaders and global citizens, who can give way to the contribution of (international) sport organizations to societal transformation, from a critical and practical perspective. Prof. Roux (University of Johannesburg) emphasized that the GMP is not only about knowledge but also about academic leadership and management skills. 

The GMP was officially opened by cutting a ‘GMP-cake’. After that the eleven students started their journey with lectures about Sport for Development and Philosophy of Science. A key element of their learning experience will be their experience with, and reflections on diversity – among themselves, between cultures and in academia.