In line with the Antonine University (UA) internationalization drive aimed at opening up to the international dimension and continuously expanding the scope of the University’s activities beyond national borders, the Dean of the Faculty of Sport Sciences (FSS) at UA, Dr. Antonio Soutou, warmly welcomed the Spanish Sports University delegation from the Catholic University of Saint Anthony of Murcia (UCAM), composed of Dr. Tomás Freitas and Dr. Pedro Roman, on January 23, 24, and 25, 2023. While UA representatives initially visited UCAM in October 2022, as part of the MEDiterranean countries: Towards Internationalisation at Home (MED2IaH) project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, where the exchanges focused on the sports sector and attention was drawn to collaboration opportunities with UCAM sports clubs, a UCAM delegation later paid a return visit to UA to solidify the emerging collaboration.

This activity, therefore, was part of the partnership development between UA and UCAM following the signature of a bilateral agreement between UA’s Rector, Fr. Michel Jalakh, and UCAM’s Vice Rector of International Relations and Communication, Prof. Dr. Pablo S. Blesa Aledo, during the European Federation of Catholic Universities (FUCE) General Assembly on October 22 and 23, 2022, in Tirana, Albania. In addition to giving the UCAM team members the chance to explore UA sporting facilities and meet with representatives of UA partners from Lebanese sports federations, the visit’s agenda was designed to prompt further constructive discussion between them and FSS researchers on research topics of common interest, provide FSS students with the opportunity to be part of UCAM doctoral programs, and establish working groups to conduct joint sports-related research. Active efforts were made to make the most of this particularly promising opportunity and look into the possibility of launching a future strength and conditioning diploma program at UA.

In order to make the most of this precious time, UCAM brought in international experts to lead a strength and conditioning session for the members of the FSS basketball team as well as a seminar that focused on strength and conditioning in football. UA students, faculty members, and professionals from the field were all enthusiastic to be among the attendees.

This is how shared goals can bring experts closer together to serve the students better and broaden their knowledge and expertise!