The concept of this course, initiated by USI Innsbruck and ISW, is planned, created and implemented in the field of teaching by the Institute of Sport Science (ISW) under the direction of Dr. Martin Schnitzer and accompanied by USI Innsbruck under the direction of Mag. Gernot Hupfauf with sporting, cultural, and social aspects.
In the context of the course, which took place in this format for the third time, 14 students from various Aurora partner universities (Copenhagen Business School, University of Iceland, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) and (guest) students of the University of Innsbruck at ISW, as well as online units that took place before and after the "Innsbruck Week," were able to participate.
The course is credited with 5 ECTS points and enabled intensive exchange, with guest speakers invited alongside the course leader. Ioannis Konstantopoulos (University of Lausanne) provided exciting insights into understanding sustainability measures in the context of major sporting events, while Jaime Blázquez Valerón (Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) lectured on "Tourism Carrying Capacity and Management Analysis" during his research stay in Innsbruck.
The afternoons were filled with sporting and socio-cultural content and getting to know the Innsbruck/Tyrol region, including visits to the Bergisel Stadium, a sledding tour following the hike up at Axamer Lizum, a ride on the Innsbruck Nordkette cable car from Congress to Hafelekar, and a visit to Area 47 integrating a guided tour by the managing director Christian Schnöller through the business aspect of this alpine outdoor adventure park.
The course concluded with the 14th Innsbruck Sports Economics and Management Symposium at the University Center Obergurgl and was attended by around 50 researchers.
Photos: Side program of the AURORA course 2025, © USI.