The face-to-face component of the HALS Summer School 2026 successfully concluded on 11 September, following an intensive week of academic learning, practical workshops, field-based activities and intercultural exchange in Koper, Slovenia.
Organised by EMUNI University in cooperation with the Science and Research Centre Koper (ZRS Koper) and Heliopolis University, the Summer School brought together students from across the Mediterranean for a multidisciplinary programme centred on kinesiology, healthy lifestyles, human performance and sport.
The programme began online on 2 and 3 September, with introductory sessions on the key thematic areas of the Summer School and intercultural differences and cooperation, preparing participants for their arrival in Slovenia.
The face-to-face programme officially opened at EMUNI University on 7 September, with a welcome by EMUNI President Prof. Dr. Rado Bohinc. Throughout the week, participants engaged with professors and experts from EMUNI and ZRS Koper through lectures, workshops and practical sessions covering topics including contemporary kinesiology, healthy lifestyles, body composition, diet and exercise, the Mediterranean diet, neural control of movement, muscle force production, physical activity assessment, sarcopenia, and digital and virtual reality applications in health.
A strong emphasis was placed on connecting academic knowledge with practical experience. At ZRS Koper, students participated in applied laboratory activities, including electromyography (EMG) and physical activity assessment. Field-based learning further expanded the programme through Nordic walking and water sports, allowing participants to explore concepts related to movement, physical activity and healthy lifestyles outside the traditional classroom environment.
Beyond the academic programme, HALS 2026 created opportunities for intercultural exchange and community building. Participants explored Koper through a guided tour and took part in social and cultural activities, culminating in a student-led farewell event at the EMUNI Library.
The programme also looked beyond the Summer School itself. A dedicated session on career and academic pathways introduced participants to opportunities for further academic development and study at EMUNI, including programmes in Kinesiology of Human Performance, Kinesiology for Quality of Life and Sport Management.
The final day of the face-to-face programme focused on sport systems, governance, innovation, management and decision-making in sport, followed by student presentations and final assessments. The week concluded with an official ceremony and the awarding of certificates to participants.
HALS 2026 welcomed students from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt, representing partner institutions including Galala University, Heliopolis University, Hassan First University, Ibn Tofail University, the Royal Institute for Training and Sport Executives, the University of Sousse and the University of Tlemcen. Their participation reflected the Summer School’s broader Euro-Mediterranean character and its aim of strengthening academic and people-to-people connections across the region.
While the participants have now completed their stay in Slovenia, HALS Summer School 2026 is not yet officially over. The programme will conclude with a final online session on 15 September, led jointly by Assist. Prof. Dr. Petra Robnik Verdnik of EMUNI and Assist. Prof. Dr. Kaja Teraž of ZRS Koper.
The three-hour concluding session will be dedicated to evaluation, structured reflection and programme conclusion, providing participants with an opportunity to reflect on their learning experiences, academic outcomes and key takeaways from the Summer School.
Through its combination of academic learning, practical experience, intercultural exchange and Mediterranean cooperation, HALS Summer School 2026 has provided participants with knowledge and connections extending well beyond their week together in Slovenia.
