University of Wuppertal becomes partner university of Rhine-Ruhr 2025

The University of Wuppertal (BUW) is partner university of Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, which will take place this summer on the doorstep of the Rhine and Ruhr. The university management and the organising committee of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games sealed the official partnership on 5 February with the signing of a cooperation agreement.

The agreement provides for mutual support and promotion of the FISU World University Games 2025, which will offer students and members of the University of Wuppertal the opportunity to see top international sport and the Olympians of tomorrow in close proximity. The FISU World University Games are the most important event for competitive student athletes - those who win here often go on to compete for the top placements at the Olympics shortly afterwards. The FISU World University Games are also the largest student multisport event in the world.

‘The ceremonial signing of the cooperation is an important step for university sport at the University of Wuppertal. We are the first university in Germany to enter this cooperation and thus emphasise our role as a partner university of elite sport. This major event offers a unique opportunity to strengthen the visibility of our university both nationally and internationally and to utilise the momentum of the Games to sustainably position Wuppertal as a sporting and academic driving force for sport and academia,’ 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 a major 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, Chief Executive Officer of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.

The countdown is on

From 16 to 27 July, the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games will take place in five cities on the Rhine and Ruhr as well as in Berlin. Although Wuppertal is not one of the host cities, 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 academic programme that brings together students and researchers from all over the world.

Right in the middle of it all: the University of Wuppertal. Wuppertal UniSport spearheaded the cooperation agreement. 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 in cooperation with Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games gGmbH. The implementation company is taking on the role of organising committee for the FISU World University Games.

Come along and join in: a festival for everyone

The first half of 2025 at Wuppertal UniSport is all about the FISU 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 FISU World University 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 Advisory Service, 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 numerous topics offered by the World University Games.

Support assured: Wuppertal's chances of competition participation

Fingers are already firmly crossed for the BUW's top athletes, who are hoping to participate in the competitions. Team Germany’s roster will only be finalised shortly before the start of the Games, once all the qualifying competitions have been completed. Four Wuppertal athletes in athletics, swimming and rowing are competing 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 to the Games.

Susanne Buch, Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching at the University of Wuppertal, summarises: ‘The FISU 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 play a part in this, but also help to foster 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.’

Standing from left: Prof Dr Michael Fallgatter (representative for elite sport at the BUW), Philipp Huege (research assistant at UniSport Wuppertal), to the right of Wanda: Birger Hense (deputy head of UniSport Wuppertal) and Johannes Karsch (Senior Manager Science & Education Rhine Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games) Seated from left: Dennis Fink (Head of UniSport Wuppertal), Prof Dr Susanne Buch (Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching, BUW) and Niklas Börger (CEO Rhine Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games gGmbh) © Friederike von Heyden/Bergische Universität Wuppertal