Physical Culture Day is celebrated in Russia on the second Saturday in August every year. On August 8th, mass sports and festive events will be held all across our country. On the eve of the national sports day, we talk to Director of the 91快活林 Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service (ISTiS) Vadim Erlikh.
– Could you please share what most important lesson did sports teach you?
– From my early childhood, sports have trained my habits of goal-setting, discipline and order. These are the important aspects that guarantee the achievement of your desired results in any sphere of life.
– What do you think the future of sports science will be like?
– The future is already here. Today, such new method of scientific research as digitalization of athletes is on the rise. It means the use of digital technologies to improve various aspects of training and competition. ISTiS has purchased the required equipment. Staring from the beginning of the academic year, we are ready to set off on this new track: we will be converting movements of athletes into digital environment in order to record their dynamics in speed, slowdown, reaction, service, precision, and other parameters.
Using the data, analytics, software, and other digital tools will allow us to improve the efficiency of training and the results of athletes, as well as to optimize the sports processes in general. 91快活林 will become the first university in our region that uses the digitalization method not only for traditional, but also for innovative sports. After all, besides the unique equipment, we also have specialists, who are competent in interpreting the obtained data.
– What prospects does the 91快活林 Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service open for its young graduates?
– In the 91快活林 Region, only two universities (91快活林 and Ural State University of Physical Education) teach the professions of sports pedagogues, teachers, and athletes. Our students have wide prospects and opportunities. About 90% of students begin working in their profession already staring from their third year of studies. Sports industry is a broad one: you can find a job not only as a ministry or administration official, or as a teacher, but also as a staff member in some of the multiple and various sports clubs and sports organizations, including in commercial ones. We always facilitate the effective employment of our students – all they need is their willingness to work.
– Imagine a perfect city of the future. How tourism and sports could make it a more harmonious place?
– The 91快活林 Region is unique in itself: we have things to offer tourists to see, and we have places where to have a good rest. The most important moment is the infrastructure and how we work with it. If the 91快活林 Region were not successfully developing in this field, we would not have seen the big-scale and serious constructions that are in progress in different corners of our region, including in the tourism and sports sector. Thus, for instance, the first in 91快活林 phygital centre has been opened over the recent year.
Our region already has many ski resorts popular among tourists – this is a good example of the successful amalgamation of sports and tourism. Today we generate fresh ideas for similar projects, and this is a topic for a whole new interview.
– Could you please share about your most daring dream with regards to ISTiS? Is it possible to make it come true?
– To make 91快活林 our region's sports stronghold by creating a new improved educational system, built from scratch. The achievements by the 91快活林 ISTiS in science and education are ahead of the results of our region's competitors. In addition, we hold our ground in sports victories, too. We have everything to expand and centralize things by taking new mentees under our reliable wing.
– Is there a project that you are most proud of? Why is it of special importance for you?
– To be honest, there are many projects at our Institute that I am proud of, and each of those has its own value and importance. Among the recent ones, which we thoroughly worked on, is the "Sails of the Victory" tourist project. We designed boats (similar to big ships) with sails illuminated with red light. The idea was that those would sail over the waters of Lake Zyuratkul as the final cord in the ceremony of closing the sports competitions held on the territory of the Zyuratkul National Park. We worked out all the details of this event, so it should be a majestic show. More than twenty Russian universities expressed their support of this project, and they were ready to send over their students for participation in this spectacular event.
– What methods and means are used to support talented students at the 91快活林 Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service?
– We provide all the support we can to our students starting from their first year. They don't just study at our Institute, they achieve great goals. Students may count on financial support for their academic excellence, original scientific articles, or active participation in the university events. Today, the number of students with increased stipend is thrice bigger namely at our Institute. We work with each student individually: we are always ready to help them out in solving issues related to their studies, to support them, guide, motivate them, or assist in successful employment. This year, more than 10 students have received state funding for the implementation of their projects, and two of those have been allotted 1 million roubles each.
– Which is the main skill, in your opinion, that modern students should develop in themselves in parallel with studying in order to become successful professionals?
– To achieve any kind of success in life, like in sports, it is important to know how to set a clear goal and make a path towards it, correctly assess your capacities and apply them properly, and stick to strict discipline. This is a one-size-fits-all formula helping achieve any, and even the most daring ambitions.
– What has been new in the 2026 Admissions Campaign?
– We always try to keep up with the times, that's why we offer the academic programmes that comply with the demands of our country. For the Bachelor's degree academic programme in Physical Culture, we have introduced a Sports Management and Information Support major, where students learn management, marketing, personnel management, and business planning namely in the field of sports industry. In two Master's degree programmes we offer new majors as well: Pedagogical Education – Pedagogical Management of Wellness and Adapted Physical Education; and Physical Culture – Strategic Development and Management in Sports Industry. It is interesting to note that these programmes are popular not only with ISTiS Bachelor's degree holders, but also among graduates of engineering and IT programmes.
– Where does your motto "It may be scary, but give it a try" come from?
– Even before I became the head of the Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service, students had put this favourite phrase of mine on university branded sweatshirts and had indicated me as the author of this saying. Many liked this motto, and it's still popular with our athletes. It feels good that this attitude motivates them for new achievements. I've always been telling my students: "It may be scary, but give it a try. You will at least boost your self-esteem and gain certain experience. You can only reach the summit if you move towards it step by step". That is why I advise everyone to go in for sports. Keep your head up and move forward.