Deakin University and Rising Pune Supergiant interact with Bengaluru students on rising career opportunities in sport management

Bengaluru: Deakin University, Australia and the Rising Pune Supergiant conducted an interactive session with aspiring students, keen to make a career in sport management, in Bengaluru, recently. The event celebrated the partnership between Deakin and the Supergiant while giving an insight to building a global career in sport management and research opportunities in the field.

Supergiants Ajinkya Rahane, Usman Khawaja, Lockie Ferguson, Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur and Faf Du Plessis along with Mr Raghu Iyer, CEO, Rising Pune Supergiant, joined Professor David Shilbury, Foundation Chair of Sport Education, Deakin University and Ms Ravneet Pawha, Associate Vice President (Global Engagement), at Deakin University, to address the aspiring students from leading schools and colleges like Saint Joseph’s college, Manipal University, Presidency College, Alliance University, M S Ramaiah Institute Of Technology, ICBS, Reva University, Trio World School and Christ University.

The session provided students, a platform to discuss various aspects of sport as a career, upcoming trends and opportunities. They interacted with Deakin faculty, current students and alumnus.

Professor David Shilbury, Foundation Chair of Sport Management Program, Deakin University, said, “Sport is a growing industry and with the increased focus on health and active lifestyles, the need for experts in this field has never been greater and there is a huge potential in India. Deakin’s courses in sport are comprehensive and diverse, enabling studies in exercise and sport science, the business of sport, sport development, health and physical education and sport technology.”

Speaking at the event, Mr Raghu Iyer, CEO, Rising Pune Supergiant, said, “Our partnerships with Deakin is a significant step towards enhancing the quality, not only in cricket, but across sport in India. Through the association we aim to work towards research and learning both at academic and the industry levels. We are excited about the partnership and look forward to helping create ever-growing value in the years to come.”

Deakin University, ranked number one in Sport Science and in the top 10, worldwide, for its Sport Management, and one of Australia’s most awarded public centres of higher education, earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rising Pune Supergiant, as the Official Sport Management University Partner for the prestigious Indian Premier League 2017.

Within the association, the Supergiants work closely with the University to conduct research in areas of sport management and marketing, as well as to promote sport education in the region. In turn, the Supergiants provide a unique opportunity for Deakin student interns to work with the team during the IPL season, getting valuable hands-on experience in the management and marketing of a professional club.

Ms. Ravneet Pawha, Associate Vice President (Global Engagement), Deakin University Australia, commented, “Australia and India are natural partners to work together on sport engagement, particularly capacity building and skills development. Deakin’s commitment to engage with Rising Pune Supergiant is to enhance sport education not only at the academic level but also at the industry level with an objective to provide an opportunity for students to be prepared for the jobs of the future.”

Rising Pune Supergiant shares Deakin University’s strategic objectives of widening access to education and building opportunities in new areas like sports to make a difference to the communities it serves.

Through the association, the organisations will work on promoting Sport Education in India through research and master classes in critical areas of sport like marketing, branding, sponsorships, development, fan engagement and player performance analysis.

From a Sport Management perspective there are strong outcomes expected out of the partnership through strategic activities which include various engagements like student internships, research in areas of importance for development of sport and activities to promote sport education in the region.