After Changing Its Name to the Faculty of Sports Sciences
Experts: Renaming the Faculty of Physical Education Opens Doors to Development, Introducing Technology and Artificial Intelligence into Curricula
Graduates: It Will Open Up Job Opportunities in New Fields

Report by: Zahraa Rashad

In a significant shift within sports education, the Cabinet approved renaming the "Faculty of Physical Education" to the "Faculty of Sports Sciences." This decision, tied to amendments in the executive regulations of the Universities Organization Law (Presidential Decree No. 809 of 1975), aims to modernize curricula, teaching methods, and training. It also seeks to enhance graduates` employability in the rapidly evolving sports job market.

The new name, reflecting advancements in sports sciences, will apply to students starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, ensuring graduates retain their rights to register with the General Syndicate for Sports Professions. A bachelor`s degree in sports sciences will continue to require four years, with amendments outlining degrees and diplomas issued by university councils upon requests from relevant faculties.

Tracing the Evolution of Sports Education
Professor Dr. Mohamed Belal, former Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education for Men at Alexandria University, highlighted the evolution of sports education in Egypt since its inception in the 1950s. He identified three main stages:

First Stage: Initially, faculties aimed solely to produce physical education teachers, offering a single program for the four-year duration.
Second Stage: With shifts in the sports labor market at the turn of the millennium, faculties introduced specializations such as coaching, management, recreation, and teaching. However, expansion remained limited to a few core programs.
Third Stage: Aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030, this stage witnessed the emergence of multidisciplinary fields like sports rehabilitation, artificial intelligence, data analysis, sports engineering, and business management. These developments necessitated the renaming of faculties to reflect this expansion.

Dr. Belal explained, “After thorough research by the Sports Education Sector Committee, chaired by Prof. Dr. Hussein Al-Samri, the consensus was to adopt the name `Sports Sciences.` This name captures the comprehensive nature of the field, transitioning faculties from an educational to a scientific focus and unlocking new career opportunities.”

The term "Sports Sciences" integrates disciplines like physiology, psychology, biomechanics, nutrition, health, and sports business management. Dr. Belal emphasized the importance of understanding exercise’s impact on the human body to enhance public health and athletic achievements.

Regarding concerns about graduates’ eligibility for teaching positions, Dr. Belal assured that a degree in sports sciences would remain suitable for such roles. He also emphasized the need to revamp curricula, enhance infrastructure, and foster international collaborations to produce graduates ready to meet global standards and job market demands.

Expanding Interdisciplinary Programs
Prof. Dr. Hussein Al-Samri, head of the Sports Education Sector at the Supreme Council of Universities and a professor at Helwan University, elaborated on the sector`s achievements. “The Sports Sciences Sector has expanded beyond education, training, and management, developing interdisciplinary programs in collaboration with other higher education sectors,” he said.

Examples of these programs include:

Sports Tourism with the Tourism and Hotels Sector at Fayoum University.
Artificial Intelligence in Sports Education with the Computer Science and Informatics Sector at Fayoum University.
English-Taught Sports Education Teacher Preparation at Port Said University, in partnership with faculties of Arts, Education, and Medicine.
Sports Education for Individuals with Disabilities at Helwan University, covering intellectual, auditory, visual, and learning disabilities.
Other notable initiatives include programs in sports logistics management, recreation for senior citizens, and fitness and health as a general university requirement, first implemented at Sohag University. Programs like sports media, rehabilitation, and sports engineering are under review.

Graduate Perspectives
Graduates have welcomed the renaming, anticipating broader career prospects. Sohaila Gamal, a Faculty of Physical Education graduate and African kayaking champion, highlighted the diverse subjects studied in the faculty, including sports psychology, human movement sciences, sports physiology, and management. “This change will provide graduates with opportunities in fields like sports clinics, injury rehabilitation, sports nutrition, and mental and physical preparation,” she said.

Similarly, Aya Nabil, a physical education teacher and karate referee, viewed the change positively, proposing new departments within the faculty to expand post-graduation opportunities.

Emerging Career Opportunities
The renaming aligns with global trends, opening doors to various careers, as highlighted by the career platform Indeed.com:

Sports Agent: Represents athletes, negotiates contracts, and markets players using data analytics.
Sports League Manager: Designs and manages activities for sports organizations, handling budgets, equipment, and staff.
Activity Manager: Develops exercise plans for senior citizens in retirement homes.
Kinesiologist: Assists patients in recovering mobility and improving muscular strength.
Equipment Technician: Maintains and repairs exercise machines in gyms and hospitals.
Massage Therapist: Reduces clients’ pain and tension, aiding recovery from injuries.
Other roles include sports development officer, event manager, sports center manager, and gym manager. These positions cater to both administrative and hands-on roles in sports organizations.

The Teacher and the Athlete
Traditional careers for graduates remain viable. Physical education teachers play vital roles in schools, promoting fitness and health. Meanwhile, athletes can pursue professional careers by leveraging their sports science knowledge to optimize performance and build personal brands.

The name change reflects a forward-thinking approach to align Egypt’s sports education with international standards, enabling graduates to meet the demands of an evolving job market. By embracing interdisciplinary collaboration and modern specializations, the Faculty of Sports Sciences promises a dynamic future for its students and the sports industry as a whole.