Mutual support and publicising of the World University Games 2025 has been agreed, offering students and members of the University of Wuppertal the chance to see top international sport and the Olympians of tomorrow up close. The World University Games are the most important event for competitive athletes who are studying - those who win here often go on to compete for the top places at the Olympics shortly afterwards. The FISU World University Games are also the largest student multisport event in the world.

"The signing of the cooperation is an important step for university sports centres at the University of Wuppertal. We are the first university in Germany to enter into this cooperation and thus emphasise our role as a partner university for top-class sport. This major event offers us a unique opportunity to strengthen the visibility of our university both nationally and internationally and to use the momentum of the Games to sustainably position the university of Wuppertal as a sporting and academic driving force," explains Dennis Fink, Head of UniSport at the University of Wuppertal.

"Sport, science and intercultural exchange are closely linked at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. Accordingly, the partnership with the University of Wuppertal is an important step towards anchoring the spirit of our Games even more firmly in the region. We look forward to working with the university of Wuppertal to inspire students, researchers and sports enthusiasts for this unique sports festival," says Niklas Börger, Managing Director of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.

The countdown is on

The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games will take place from 16 to 27 July in five cities on the Rhine and Ruhr as well as in Berlin. Although Wuppertal is not one of the venues, there are still many points of contact, particularly in terms of international and intercultural exchange: the sporting competitions are embedded in an extensive cultural and scientific programme that brings together students and researchers from all over the world.

Right in the middle of it all: the University of Wuppertal. The cooperation agreement was spearheaded by Wuppertal UniSport. The employees have been looking forward to the major event next summer for weeks and have already planned numerous activities for the journey there - both independently and together with Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games gGmbH. The implementation company is taking on the role of organising committee for the World University Games.

Come along and join in: a festival for everyone

The first half of 2025 at Wuppertal UniSport is all about the World University Games. In addition to taking part in the torch relay and a mascot campaign, there are also activities planned on campus in Wuppertal centred around the student games, including joint trips to the competitions in July.

In addition, the University of Wuppertal will be available on site in Essen during the event and will be a point of contact for all visitors: Together with other BUW institutions, such as the International Office, the central student guidance and counselling services as well as the Green Lion Racing Team and other student initiatives, UniSport will have its own activity area during the competitions with various hands-on and counselling offers. In addition, it will be possible to write student theses in connection with the diverse topics offered by the World University Games.

Support for sure: Wuppertal's chances of active competition participation

Fingers are already firmly crossed for the BUW's top athletes, who can hope to actively participate in the competitions. Team Germany will only be finalised shortly before the start of the Games once all the qualifying competitions have been completed. Four Wuppertal athletes from the sports of athletics, swimming and rowing are in the running for the coveted places on the student team. "Potential starters from the University of Wuppertal are supported both in their preparation for the competitions and during the competitions. Getting to know the local athletes and cheering them on together on site offers unique experiences for everyone involved," says Dennis Fink, Head of UniSport, looking ahead.

Susanne Buch, Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching at the University of Wuppertal, summarises: "The World University Games offer students at the University of Wuppertal a wonderful opportunity for international exchange with universities and students from all over the world. In our role as a partner university, we not only want to take part in this, but also help to organise encounters. With this cooperation, we are also setting an example of cosmopolitanism in the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia and emphasising the importance of strong networks for the future of our university."