COMENIUS UNIVERSITY AND THE SLOVAK ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION JOIN FORCES BY SIGNING A MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION
Ice hockey coaching to become a reality next academic year Bratislava, 7 October 2026: Comenius University Bratislava (CU) and the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation (SIHF) have officially entered into a partnership. The two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at bringing the academic and sporting worlds closer together, supporting talented students and opening up new opportunities in education, research and sports development.
The main aim of the memorandum is to establish a practical framework for cooperation. This will focus on supporting students in pursuing dual careers, combining their academic education with the development of their sporting talent, with particular emphasis on ice hockey. The partnership will also open up opportunities for joint research projects and for developing relations with international partners
“Bringing together cutting-edge science and education with systematic support for sport brings enormous benefits to society as a whole,” said CU Rector Marek Števček at the signing. “Our aim at Comenius University is to create conditions in which young athletes can pursue top-level ice hockey without compromising on the quality of their university education. We want to give them the support they need to grow as athletes, as students and as individuals.”
In May this year, the CU management and representatives of the CU Faculty of Physical Education and Sport continued talks with Finland’s Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences on the establishment of a joint study programme in ice hockey coaching. The project was initiated by the SIHF, which has been in talks with Haaga-Helia since 2023 and has been working to develop the study programme. The Finnish university regards the project as an extension of an existing study programme, although the programme still has to go through the accreditation process. "We are very proud that our faculty will open a unique study programme combining bachelor’s-level education in ice hockey with study at our Finnish partner university,” said Professor Viktor Bielik, Dean of the CU Faculty of Physical Education and Sport.
SIHF President Miroslav Šatan also welcomed the decision to join forces with the university: “Developing young players and nurturing talent have long been priorities for Slovak ice hockey. Through our cooperation with Comenius University, we can connect the academic environment with practical experience in our clubs and sports centres. Modern ice hockey is about physical preparation, analytical thinking and applying new scientific knowledge in training, and this is where CU can really help.”