Sport, study and wellbeing: a conference on dual careers for student-athletes in Padua

On Saturday, 31 January 2026, in the Sala dei Giganti of Palazzo Liviano, the University of Padua will host the conference “Sport, studio e benessere all’Università di Padova” (“Sport, Study and Wellbeing at the University of Padua”), an event dedicated to the theme of the dual career of student-athlete and the relationship between sporting activity and academic studies.

The conference will open with institutional greetings from Marco Ferrante, Vice-Rector for Education at the University of Padua, Diego Bonavina, Councillor for Sport of the Municipality of Padua, Dino Ponchio, President of CONI Veneto, and Michele De Conti, President of FIPAV Veneto.

During the conference, the Vice-Rector for Wellbeing and Sport, Antonio Paoli, presented the UniPD “Dual student-athlete career” project, illustrating its opportunities, challenges and support tools. Active for several years, the programme officially recognises the dual career of enrolled students who have achieved particularly significant competitive sporting results.

The project offers numerous benefits, including annual financial contributions, flexibility in exam dates and attendance, dedicated tutoring, psychological and motivational support, and certification of sporting achievements in the Diploma Supplement.

The guest of the meeting is Ferdinando De Giorgi, coach of the Italian men’s national volleyball team, who talks to Antonio Paoli about his experience in high-level sport. The meeting is moderated by journalist Massimo Salmaso.

The conference, sponsored by EAS, Coni Veneto and FIPAV Veneto, and with the support of FIPAV- Padua Territorial Committee, will conclude with the award ceremony for athletes pursuing dual careers for the 2025/26 academic year.

Participation is free but requires online registration.

For more information:

public.engagement@unipd.it

doppiacarriera.studenteatleta@unipd.it

Download the event poster here.