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| Current Issues | No.65 October 2013 |

New Doctoral and Masters Programmes in Venezuela
Master Opening Class by Herbert Haag
Rosa López de D’Amico

In June 2013, the Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador (UPEL) in Maracay, Venezuela launched two Masters programmes and a Doctoral programme. The masters programs are Sport Management and Recreation, while the doctoral program is in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences; the first doctoral program of its kind in Venezuela. UPEL was honored to have Prof. Dr. Herbert Haag deliver the opening classes to these programmes.

The Research Center Estudios en Educación Física, Salud, Deporte, Recreación y Danza: EDUFISADRED (Studies in Physical Education, Health, Sport, Recreation and Dance), at UPEL Maracay is responsible of these three initiatives to continue promoting academic and research development in areas related to the study and enjoyment of physical activity, dance, sport, recreation, physical education and health.

The creation of the doctoral program in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences is indeed a big step forward as it is the first one in the country. It offers motivation for other universities in the country to work together in network for the benefit of academia and research in PA, PE and sports. The programme was approved in December, 2012 by the Venezuelan National Universities Council (CNU). This project was first dreamed of in 2006, but began to develop in earnest in 2011 and went through the rigorous evaluation processes established by the National Universities Council.

In the opening class of the doctoral program, there were 33 candidates, all very much exited by the new experience. The master class by Prof. Dr. Herbert Haag in the inauguration of the first Doctoral Program was indeed an important step in the development of sport science as an academic discipline. On the occasion of this event, the keynote highlighted important issues in regard to sport science development. Besides, two paradigms were discussed in regard to an academic discipline and also to sport science:

1. Nature: Representing the framework for dealing with sport science. Two issues are covered in this regard:

• Body of knowledge (Intra-Inter as Dual Approach).

• Research Methodology (Kiel Model of Research Methodology).

2. Self-understanding: Ways in which sport science is understood by itself. The importance of holistic understanding for the logic of an academic discipline like sport science (Haag, 2010)

The following picture shows the group of doctoral candidates with Prof. Dr. Herbert Haag

PICTURE 1

Overall, the class was an excellent opportunity to explain and analyse perspectives which are important for the development of sport science in general and in Venezuela specifically.

It is also important to acknowledge our appreciation as well to the following organisations that supported the doctoral project in its initial stages: International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Women and Girls (IAPESGW), Latin-American Association for Socio-cultural Studies of Sport (ALESDE), Latin-American Association of Sports Management (ALGEDE) and the International Society for Comparative Physical Education and Sport (ISCPES).

A seminar in Sport Methodology was also given by Prof. Dr. Herbert Haag to the masters students of both programmes, which were approved by the National Council of Universities (CNU) in February, 2013. The visit of Prof. Haag was also beneficial to the candidates of these two new programmes al UPEL Maracay. It was a very interesting experience for all 45 students that participated in the seminar. Following is a picture of most participants.

PICTURE 2

Both activities were organised at Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador (UPEL) on the Maracay campus, coordinated by EDUFISADRED. Those directly responsible were: Josil Murillo, Gladys Guerrero, Maira Vallenilla, Jorge Ramírez, Elizabeth Mizrahi and Rosa López de D’Amico. Our appreciation also goes to the translators: Diorling Medina, José Iriarte and Alessandro D’Amico.

It is important to highlight that with both groups Prof. Dr. Herbert Haag had the opportunity to use with his book on Research Methodoly (Haag, 2004) in its Spanish version (Haag, 2006) that was translated and published by UPEL in 2006. The whole experience was fantastic and both groups were very satisfied with Prof. Haag, who also provided extra information related to academic organisations (ICSSPE in particular) and resources in general, particularly the recent ICSSPE Directory of Sport Science.

Our gratitude to Prof. Dr. Herbert Haag who shared with us in this important occasion when commenced the first Doctoral programmes in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences in Venezuela and two important Masters programmes in our field.

References

1. Haag, H. (2004). Research Methodology for Sport and Exercise Science. Comprehensive Introduction for Study and Research (2nd Ed.). Berlin: Logos.

2. Haag, H. (Ed.). (2006). Metodología de Investigación para el Deporte y la Ciencia del Ejercicio. Transl. S. Mendoza & C. Segnini (UPEL – Maracay). Caracas: UPEL.

3. Haag, H. (2010). Research Methodology for Sport and Exercise Science. Comprehensive Introduction for Study and Research (2nd Ed.). Berlin: Logos.

Contact

Rosa López de D’Amico
Venezuela

Email lopezdedamico@yahoo.com

http://www.icsspe.org/