On 9 February, the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) launched a collaborative educational initiative, Sport and Modern Media Technologies, involving students and faculty from India's HVPM sports university (Shree Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal, Amravati, Maharashtra). The Indian delegation arrived in Sochi to take part in a two-week intensive course focused on current trends in the sports media industry.
The visit marks the latest milestone in implementing the agreements to expand cooperation between RIOU and HVPM, reached during a recent trip by the Indian university’s representatives to Russia. In September 2025, an HVPM delegation attended the opening of RIOU's academic year as guests of honour.
This educational project aims to strengthen academic ties between the partner universities and to introduce the next generation of Indian sports managers to cutting-edge Russian and international practices in sports media and communications. The course is taught by leading industry practitioners with extensive experience in organising Olympic Games and other major international sporting events. The course features contributions from IOC expert Dmitry Perlin, alongside international experts Philippe Blanchard and Olga Pokushalova.
Commenting on the programme, RIOU Rector, full member of the Russian Academy of Education, Professor Lev Belousov said:
"RIOU's cooperation with our Indian partner, HVPM, began four years ago and was made possible thanks to the initiative of one of our alumni, Pranav Chendke, who graduated from RIOU’s Master of Sport Administration course in 2020 and now leads international engagement at HVPM. It is especially rewarding to see our graduates acting as a bridge between our countries, fostering long-term international partnerships and joint educational projects."
The practical element of the course includes site visits to the Sochi 2014 legacy venues. The Indian delegation will tour the Fisht Stadium and the Iceberg Training Arena, where a curling session is planned. The Indian participants will be joined by students from RIOU's current Master of Sport Administration cohort, who this year represent 15 countries.
