Victoria University links up with Real Madrid in sports masters programFebruary 16, 2015
Michael Lynch
Melbourne-based Victoria University has become the first Australian academic institution to link up with global football giant Real Madrid after inking a partnership deal which will allow the University's sports students to gain behind-the-scenes access to the La Liga giants.
The five-year agreement has been signed with the Real Madrid Graduate School Universidad Europea.
It will allow Victoria University students in selected masters programs to travel to Spain where they will be embedded at the school and have access to the club.
The institution's vice-chancellor, Professor Peter Dawkins, says the deal goes a long way to cementing VU's position as "Australia's leading sports university".
"Most people can only dream about seeing how one of the most successful sporting clubs in the world functions from the inside, but that is exactly what we are offering at VU," Professor Dawkins said.
The dean of the College of Sport and Exercise Science, Professor Hans Westerbeek, said the link-up will see some of Real Madrid's lecturers, who have a particular expertise in football, deliver lectures at VU campuses in this country.
"This means students will learn from a strengthened teaching staff throughout the duration of their degrees, not only while they're in Madrid," said Professor Westerbeek.
Real director and former star striker Emilio Butragueno said the organisation is excited to be forging links with its first Australian partner.
"Victoria University has a reputation as a leading sports university, so we are very much looking forward to learning from their staff as well as sharing our knowledge with students," he said.
The partnership applies to the Master of Sports Science (Football Performance) and Master of Sport Business and Integrity programs.
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/victoria-university-links-up-with-real-madrid-in-sports-masters-program-20150215-13fdly.html