Life as a Sports Management Student - Nominzul Khuyag

Thank you so much for joining today. Can you please explain a bit about your story within education and what led you to the AISTS?

I worked at a bank for four years. At the time, I worked on many sporting events as a volunteer, so I decided to get my master's degree in sports management at Seoul National University. I established myself in a sports foundation for elite athletes to provide professional training, professional development, or to prepare them to transition career.

I also work with them as part of a government body and in the National Olympic Committee, supporting, advising, and collaborating with them, as well as delivering sports programs locally. The AISTS is located in the Olympic capital, which gives me a huge opportunity to connect to the world of sports. That's why I chose the AISTS, to connect with the world of sports. I want to work within global sports, not only local. This is what I want to do after my master's program.

Also, I used to work at Special Olympics Mongolia as a director of sports. Special Olympics provides sports, training, and activities for people with intellectual disabilities. I worked there for two years.

Excellent. If you had to describe the education you get at the AISTS, what would you say?

AISTS, as we all know, is a world-recognized program, so it is a big bridge for me to connect to global sports. It also provides high-quality education and high-quality professors – expertise from professors with huge experience. They have professors in the curriculum and extracurricular programs; it gives us a huge opportunity to equip ourselves to go to global sports, not just at a local level. It gives us rich connections. Whether I'm working at the international sports level or local level, it gives me connections and a lot of experience to learn about multiple sports and their differences.

The AISTS’ students are very high-profile individuals who are very skilled, competitive and have very strong opinions. Studying here, I’ve learned a lot from my classmates.

What advice would you give to people thinking about studying at the AISTS or beginning their studies there?

I assume most of the people studying at the AISTS or sports management are people who come from different sectors, so if you don't work in the sports sector, it's not a big barrier to shift to the sports sector. Also, studying in Lausanne, Switzerland gives you benefits and opportunities.

What do you think the importance of sports is for individuals and society as a whole?

Sport is a powerful tool in promoting equality in all regions and sports have the power to integrate people. But it's also a powerful tool to educate young people, give them strong self-esteem, and understand themselves. Sport offers an opportunity to work with other individuals. And sport teaches the youth to win and lose. So, it's a unique thing.

What are your future plans within sports?

Probably at the global sporting events and in sports tech – and maybe in professional sports leagues. I'm very interested in professional sports leagues. I come from Mongolia, where we have massive landscapes and unique nature. I really want to develop adventure sports and sports tourism in Mongolia. We want to be the world’s future sports tourism hotspot. Mongolia is divided into four very unique zones – you can see the mountain and forests, and you can see the desert at the same time. So, professionally, adventure sports will be in my future.

Are there any experiences that stick out from your time at the AISTS?

When I was considering studying at the AISTS, which would be my second master's degree in sports management, many people asked me, "Why are you studying sports management again?" And it's simply because when I looked at the AISTS’ website, every activity seemed unique. Because it's located here, it gives 360 degrees of sports information, connecting people and helping them achieve their goals.

Then when I came here, I met my classmates - we have two students who have competed in the Olympic Games. When we talk to them, there are a lot of stories behind them, such as what are the Olympians' sacrifices? Or about their resilience or the many obstacles they overcame? It's one of my favorite topics - I'm really passionate about working with athletes. When I talk with my Olympian classmates, I always get goosebumps because they are so inspiring. They're so resilient. I always learn from them. I really want my athletes to be like them. I'm thankful to this program for giving me this opportunity through the scholarship because it allows me to connect with many strong individuals.

Video of the AISTS student Elisa Hämmerle at the Tokyo Olympics last summer…

You talk about others on your course inspiring you, but I'm sure if I spoke to them, they would say that you and others inspire them as well...

Yes. Studying at the AISTS improves my reputation in my local work, so I became a member of the Women in Sports Commission of the National Olympic Committee of Mongolia. And that allows me to implement a lot of research work about women in sports. It’s a positive way to empower women and encourage them to work more at the decision-making level, providing professional development training to make them better professionals. During this AISTS journey, everything's happening very smoothly and progressively.

Article written in association with the AISTS.