Erasmus+ Programme SPIRIT: Sport and physical education as a vehicle for Inclusion and Recognition in India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka

A training Seminar and Partner Meeting took place on 22 – 26 May 2023 at the University of Nicosia

The University of Nicosia participates in the Erasmus+ Program “Sport and physical education as a vehicle for Inclusion and Recognition in India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka”, which aims to bring change to the three program countries in terms of sports education for a healthy lifestyle that combats growing chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and promotes social inclusion and participation in sports. The project address two existing problems in the three partner countries involved:

• Growing chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as a huge global health problem in low- and middle-income countries. The magnitude of the rise of NCDs is particularly visible in Southeast Asia where limited resources have been used to address this rising epidemic.
• Around the world, young people need free time, space and fellowship to enjoy sport and play. While the need for the activities of sport is global in scope, the ability to be included often is not. Social exclusion is defined as a series of deprivations – be they linked to economic position, gender, cultural or political rights.

In the week of 22 – 26 May 2023, faculty and students from the partner institutions had the opportunity to meet at the University of Nicosia to participate in a week-long seminar offered by the School of Life and Health Sciences in sport science, nutrition, physiotherapy and pharmacy. The seminar included lectures by the faculty in the morning and visits to gyms and labs in the afternoon. Through this dual form of the project, the Asian colleagues were able to address theoretical issues in the morning and explore the gym and labs in the afternoon. At the same time, work was carried out in terms of the project management and finalization of deliverables.

The project is coordinated by Lovely Professional University from Punjab in India. European partners in the project in addition to the University of Nicosia are the Technical University of Valencia (Universitat Politècnica de València) and the University of Lisbon (Universidade de Lisboa- Instituto Superior Técnico). Οther partners from India include the Bharati Vidyapeeth University, ISBR Business School, from Indonesia Universitas Syiah Kuala, IPB Bogor (Institut Pertanian Bogor) and from Sri Lanka Sabaragamuwa University and University of Peardeniya. The coordination at the University of Nicosia is carried out by the Rector, Professor Philippos Pouyioutas, assisted by Kyriakos E Georgiou, Senior Administrator at the Rectorate.