Finnish delegation at FTVŠ UK advances negotiations on international ice hockey coaching study program to the next stage
The Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at Comenius University in Bratislava (FTVŠ UK) hosted a delegation from the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland) as part of ongoing negotiations on the preparation of a joint study program in ice hockey coaching.
The program also included demonstration teaching sessions at FTVŠ UK, which showcased the faculty’s approach to sports training and coaching education, as well as its readiness to adapt to modern trends in education.
During working meetings, the partners evaluated the current status of the project and confirmed that most cooperation conditions have already been agreed upon. Following the completion of remaining technical and administrative requirements, the signing of the agreement establishing the joint study program is expected by the beginning of summer.
The program is planned to be delivered as a double degree study, within which graduates will receive diplomas from both partner universities. Its launch is scheduled for the 2027/2028 academic year. The Finnish side views the initiative as an extension of an existing study program, while the Slovak side is expected to complete the accreditation process planned for autumn 2026.
The Slovak Ice Hockey Federation will also participate in the collaboration, as it has long supported the development and modernization of ice hockey coaching education. The partners also emphasized the need to strengthen the practical component of instruction and to intensify cooperation with ice hockey clubs. All parties agreed that high-quality coach education is a key prerequisite for increasing the competitiveness of smaller hockey nations in the international environment.
In the future, cooperation between the universities should not be limited to student exchange but should also include faculty mobility and the development of joint research activities. The planned program represents a significant step in the internationalization of sports education and in bridging academic environments with elite and youth sports practice.