The Vladimir Potanin Foundation is inviting applications for its Olympic Scholarships programme. The programme aims to provide opportunities for promising candidates to receive training in sports administration, develop skills in managing sporting organisations and venues, and acquire theoretical as well as practical expertise in running high profile international competitions.
The winners will receive financial support to study on the Master of Sport Administration (MSA) course at the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) in academic year 2015/2016.
Oksana Oracheva, General Director of the Potanin Foundation, said: ‘The Olympic University in Sochi is a unique learning institution, one of the few in the world where students can obtain high quality training in sports management in the most concentrated and effective way. The quality of applications we are receiving serves to prove that RIOU has already become an important educational centre developing the next generation of sport administrators for a lot of countries that uphold the idea and values of the Olympic Movement’.
To qualify for the competition, applicants must provide an official confirmation from the RIOU Admissions Board that they comply with the University’s requirements to prospective students.
In reviewing the applications, the Expert Committee will assess the candidates’ academic ability (erudition and learning potential), English language proficiency (instruction at RIOU is delivered in Russian or English), as well as experience in community and volunteer work within sports and the Olympic Movement. Other important criteria include leadership skills, motivation, initiative and enthusiasm.
References are welcome from such organisations as the International Olympic Committee, National Olympic Committees, Organising Committees of major sporting events, international and national sport federations and clubs, state and local government bodies.
To expand the range of accommodation options available to students during their studies, the Foundation offers two types of financial support this year:
- coverage of tuition fee, on-campus accommodation and monthly allowance;
- coverage of tuition fee and monthly allowance.
Applications can be submitted before August 10, 2015 via www.fondpotanin.ru
The Vladimir Potanin Foundation is one of the first private charity foundations in modern Russia. It was established in 1999 to implement programmes in the fields of education and culture. The Foundation’s main objective is to support enthusiastic and creative professionals and promote philanthropy in Russia. The Foundation offers long-term scholarship and grant programmes targeted at talented Russian students and faculty, museum employees, sports industry professionals, as well as endowment specialists.
