GSUN Welcomes New Congress Members
GSUN is very pleased to welcome GSUN Congress Members! Between now and the Summit, we will introduce some Congress members each month. Congress membership allows institutions and any of their team members to connect, collaborate and contribute to the Global Sport University Network. If you are interested in applying for Congress Membership, please do so here.
We are delighted to welcome these institutions to GSUN Congress!
As New Zealand’s largest and highest-ranked university, placed 65th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, University of Auckland brings outstanding academic and research excellence in sport, ranked 24th in the QS World Rankings for Sports-Related Subjects. With deep connections to New Zealand sport, culture and communities, the University of Auckland offers a unique perspective and valuable expertise that will enrich GSUN’s mission.
National Taiwan Normal University
Founded in 1922, NTNU has achieved outstanding results in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. Six subjects are ranked among the world’s top 100, placing the university second nationwide in Taiwan, with a total of 18 subjects included in the rankings—demonstrating its strong academic influence. Notably, NTNU has ranked first in Taiwan in the fields of humanities and social sciences for eight consecutive years.
The Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, under the College of Sports and Recreation, was the first department in Taiwan dedicated specifically to professional education in physical education and sport sciences, and the first to establish both master’s and doctoral programs in this field. NTNU is also one of only two universities in Taiwan ranked among the global top 100 in the QS subject ranking for Sports-Related Subjects.
As one of Taiwan’s leading universities, NTNU continues to play an important role in advancing sport science research and education in Asia and beyond.
Universidad Anáhuac México was founded in 1964 and it is one of Mexico’s top private universities. The University comprises 14 Colleges located across three campuses. Through the School of Sport Sciences, Universidad Anáhuac offers an undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in sport. This includes a master’s programme designed for students who wants to specialize in training and physical activity or sports marketing and sponsoring. Universidad Anáhuac México has strong partnerships with many Mexican and international sports organisations, such as Mexican Olympic Committee, Mexican Football Federation, Liga Mx, and NFL, NBA and MLB Mexico City offices as well. The School of Sport Sciences provides strong leadership in sport, both nationwide and regionally. The quality, experience and commitment of our colleagues from Universidad Anáhuac will be a great addition for GSUN.
Founded in 1850, the University of Utah is the flagship public research university of the state of Utah and a leading institution recognized for academic excellence, innovation, and public engagement. Located in Salt Lake City, the University serves more than 38,000 students and offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across 17 colleges and schools.
As a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the University of Utah is internationally recognized for its strong research enterprise, interdisciplinary collaboration, and commitment to student success. The University is widely respected for excellence across fields including engineering, business, law, education, health, science, humanities, and the arts, while also fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through extensive industry and community partnerships.
The University of Utah also holds a unique place within the global sport and Olympic community. The campus played a central role in hosting the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and will again contribute significantly to the 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. As part of this continuing legacy, the University recently advanced plans for a new Olympic Research Center for Societal Impact, an interdisciplinary initiative focused on examining the economic, environmental, health, and social dimensions of major international sporting events and their impact on communities around the world.
In addition, the University is nationally and internationally recognized for its leadership in health sciences, kinesiology, sports medicine, and related research areas that contribute to athlete performance, wellness, public health, and community impact. Through these strengths, the University continues to expand its global engagement in sport, health, and societal research.
The University maintains a vibrant global presence through international research collaborations, academic exchange programs, and partnerships with institutions and organizations around the world. Faculty and academic leaders from the University of Utah continue to make significant contributions within their disciplines while advancing research and scholarship that address complex regional and global challenges.
The expertise, leadership, and collaborative spirit of our colleagues from the University of Utah will be a valuable addition to our international community.
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Met has a proud and long history in world-leading research and curricula development in sports-related subject disciplines, having established one of the first single honours sports science degree programmes in the UK in 1975. Since this time, many PhD candidates have graduated from the University and established their own independent research careers around the world.
Through this network, Manchester Met has established connectivity in over 30 countries and, over the years, facilitated staff and student exchange to build significant research agendas. The Institute of Sport at Manchester Met represents an innovative platform through which the 20 academic departments on campus come together and focus their expertise to provide solutions for some of the global challenges that we face in enhancing human performance and optimising community health. This thematic and cross-cutting platform has enabled a step change in the capture of research and innovation funding, which in turn has created a dynamic and vibrant PhD community.
The work of the Institute is powered by a range of high-profile partnerships from international and national governing bodies, sports organisations and professional teams, as well as health and social care agencies. Under the umbrella of the Institute are 14 academic programmes with 1,800 students, and the Institute can call on expertise from 150 academics across the University.
The Institute is the home of Centres of Excellence for Women in Sport and Sports Innovation, and, in order to raise the profile and reputation of the institution, we have hosted and will host a number of high-profile international congresses, including the European College of Sport Sciences in 2027.
The Institute of Sport is housed in a purpose-built facility which includes a range of enabling technologies that include 3T Tesla MRI, cardiac and vascular assessment, extensive biomechanical and biochemical analysis, data analytics and computer modelling, and a comprehensive capability around environmental challenge. Our current ranking in QS international sport-related league tables is 45, with a strong ambition to migrate upwards.