FIA University

Key Achievements

In line with the FIA’s commitment to supporting the professional development of its Member Clubs, the FIA University continued to deliver high-impact executive education programmes tailored to their evolving needs.

Senior Executives Programme

The 6th edition of the FIA University Senior Executives Programme, in partnership with Columbia Business School Executive Education, took place from 29-31 October 2024 in New York City and aimed to offer a high-level learning experience to FIA Club Presidents, CEOs, General Managers, and top-tier executives.

Designed under the leadership of Columbia’s Academic Director and reputed Professor Moran Cerf, participants benefited from a three-day immersive experience at Columbia’s Business School campus during which they engaged with cutting-edge management theories, refined their strategic thinking, and deepened their understanding of leadership in a rapidly evolving environment. 

Reflecting the latest global trends, the updated curriculum focused on topics such as AI in business, critical decision-making, negotiation and strategic leadership. 

Participants also exchanged case studies and best practices, during both the lectures and social activities, reinforcing peer-to-peer learning. 

The programme aligns with the FIA’s strategic goal to empower its Clubs and Regions through strategic knowledge-building and impactful leadership development.

6th Senior Executive Programme successfully concludes at Columbia Business School

Advanced Leadership Programme

In September 2024, the FIA University launched its first Advanced Leadership Programme, aiming to enhance leadership skills among FIA Clubs’ middle and senior managers. 

The five-day intensive course, held from 23-27 September in Geneva, Switzerland and Chamonix, France, brought together 25 participants from 15 FIA Clubs, selected through a competitive application process.

The programme featured lectures, discussions, and hands-on workshops led by esteemed academics from institutions such as the University of London, ESSEC Business School, and Stanford University. 

Key topics covered included sustainability, communication, commercial development, and performance management. During the programme, participants also engaged directly with key FIA senior leaders.

This initiative reflects the FIA’s commitment to fostering a ‘community of practice’ among its global network, promoting ongoing professional development and collaboration across the Federation.

FIA hosts inaugural edition of its Advanced Leadership Programme

FIA Immersion

In September 2024, the FIA University conducted the fourth edition of the FIA Immersion Programme, aiming to empower FIA Sport Clubs’ emerging leaders to drive the future of motor sport. 

Seventeen participants from FIA Clubs took part in meetings and workshops in Paris, Geneva and Valleiry to enhance their knowledge and awareness on various topics. The group also attended the Rallye du Mont-Blanc (France) to discover the functions on site. 

The programme offered participants a comprehensive understanding of the FIA’s operations, strategic initiatives, and the broader motor sport ecosystem. Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and hands-on experiences, participants enhanced their knowledge in areas such as event management, safety protocols, and sustainability practices.

This initiative reflects the FIA’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of motor sport professionals, ensuring the sport’s continued growth and adaptation in a rapidly changing world.

By investing in the development of young professionals, the FIA aims to foster a global community of skilled and passionate individuals ready to lead motor sport into the future.

Fourth edition of FIA Immersion Programme Empowers Emerging Leaders to Drive the Future of Motorsport

Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life

Developed within the framework of the FIA University, the Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life initiative is a global training programme led by the FIA in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the FIA Foundation. It promotes cross-sector collaboration between public and private actors working in traffic, mobility, and road safety, with the goal of ensuring safe mobility for all, across every stage of life.

The initiative focuses on equipping Clubs and national authorities — particularly in regions with high road crashes rates — with the knowledge, tools, and strategies they need to carry out their responsibilities effectively. This includes support in evidence-based decision-making, the design of regulatory frameworks, and the implementation of impactful policies.

The programme is structured around three core pillars:

• Training to build Clubs’ professional expertise and capacity in road safety;
• In-country projects engaging local stakeholders to drive impact;
• A global fellowship community promoting peer exchange and best practice.

From 14-15 November 2024, the FIA hosted the inaugural Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life (SM4A4L) training session in Panama City, bringing together representatives from FIA Mobility Regions III and IV. Over two days, 15 participants from 13 Clubs engaged in capacity-building activities aimed at addressing road safety challenges and driving measurable change in their countries.

The FIA President’s Development Fund, launched in July 2024 to assist small and medium-sized Clubs in delivering sustainable growth and talent development initiatives, supported the first phase of the initiative focused on FIA Regions III and IV. From 2025 onwards, the initiative will expand to other regions, strengthening the FIA’s global commitment to road safety, creating a lasting impact, and reinforcing the role of FIA Clubs as key agents of change.

FIA hosts first Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life training session in Panama City

Modern Sport Governance Certificate

In 2024, the Modern Sport Governance Certificate, focused on developing a strong understanding of the principles of sport good governance and how to apply them within FIA Member Clubs, consisted of two Guided Learning Hours: one eLearning module and one reflective individual activity, which was formally assessed.

The curriculum was structured around three key learning pillars: Acquiring Core Competencies, Application, and Ethics and Compliance. Participants gained a structured understanding of effective governance principles, explored how to apply them in their own organisational contexts, and developed the skills needed to uphold ethical and compliant behaviour.

The Certificate aligns with the FIA’s goal to embed the highest standards of sport governance and effective practices across FIA Clubs.

Motorsport Leadership and Management Certificate

In 2024, the Certificate in Motorsport Leadership and Management, designed to equip FIA Club professionals with essential skills to excel in the motor sport industry, comprised three formally assessed Guided Learning Hours.

Structured around key areas of expertise — Global Motorsport Framework, Club Governance and Leadership, and Sport Development — the curriculum enabled participants to acquire core competencies in motor sport leadership, with an emphasis on strategic planning and problem-solving. The programme taught them to critically evaluate information, develop effective strategies, and provide solutions to unpredictable challenges in the dynamic motor sport environment.

This certificate is part of the FIA’s broader effort to build capacity and professional excellence within its global network of Clubs. 

Regional Stewards Training Programme

In 2024, the FIA Regional Stewards Training Programme was delivered online through three dedicated sessions, reaching 195 unique participants from 59 Clubs, with an average age of 37.5 years. Female participation stood at 42.05%, while male participants accounted for 57.95%.

The programme supported the continuous development of experienced officials and prepared the next generation of Stewards. A total of 93 participants successfully graduated.

Graduation Ceremony

The FIA University Graduation ceremony took place during the 2024 FIA General Assembly week in Kigali, Rwanda, 11 December 2024.

The ceremony honoured the 261 graduates of the Senior Executives Programme, Advanced Leadership Programme, FIA Immersion Programme, Modern Sport Governance Certificate, Motorsport Leadership and Management Certificate, and Regional Stewards Training Programme.

FIA Region IV Executive Programme 

The 2024 edition marked the 10th anniversary of the FIA University Region IV Executive Programme, which was enhanced for the occasion with a new academic partner. 

Held from 6-8 November in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the programme was delivered for the first time by faculty and experts from the Business School of Torcuato Di Tella University and brought together 26 participants from 9 FIA Member Clubs across South and Central America for a tailored, three-day learning experience.

Entirely in Spanish, the new curriculum featured three thematic modules combining expert-led presentations, learning lab sessions, discussions, case studies and peer exchange — all designed to encourage practical learning and regional collaboration.

The modules explored global and regional economic trends, the potential of AI in Club operations, the role of emotional intelligence in customer service innovation, and the development of a growth mindset to drive adaptive leadership.

For the first time, the programme was delivered by faculty and experts from the Business School of the Torcuato Di Tella University.

The programme reflects the FIA’s commitment to regional capacity-building by equipping Club leaders with the skills to foster innovation and sustainable growth across Region IV.

Fostering Innovation and Growth Mindsets: Refreshed Tailor-Made FIA University Region IV Programme starts in Argentina

Online Learning

In 2024, the FIA expanded its online learning portfolio, introducing three new courses on “Introduction to Motorsport Medecine”, “FIA 120 Years”, and “Ethics and Compliance”. 

These modules complemented the existing catalogue of 39 courses available in 14 languages. All of the courses have been rebranded under the FIA University and designed in accordance with the FIA University academic framework, ensuring a consistent and high-quality learning experience.

These developments were met with strong Member engagement and positive uptake across the network.

Research and Studies

Several reports were completed in 2024 under the FIA University:

• Developing Sustainable Mobility: Personal Electric Vehicles Worldwide — Case Studies from China and Rwanda:
  This research was developed in collaboration with students from Sciences Po’s Urban School in Paris. It was officially released at the FIA side event, A Just Transition for Africa — Pan-African Conference on Sustainability, held during the 2024 FIA General Assemblies week.
  
• New Mobility Market Trackers
  Produced in cooperation with Frost & Sullivan, two reports for Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions were completed and presented to FIA Member Clubs during the 2024 FIA Region I Spring Meeting and the 2024 FIA APAC Congress. Both reports highlight key mobility market developments, strategic shifts, and emerging opportunities with a regional focus.
  
• United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) – Online Abuse in Sport Barometer
  2024 saw the publication of the first International Federations’ Online Abuse in Sport Barometer with 35 partners across the industry including FIFA, World Athletics, and IESF. The report, written by Professor David Hassan, sets to benchmark the evolution of Online Harms in the sports industry year on year.
  
  The Online Abuse in Sport Barometer is publicly available here.
  
• United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) – Sport Journalist BarometerIn 2024, UAOA and the FIA University published the largest research study into sports journalists and online abuse to date. The Sport Journalist Barometer worked with 41 individuals to capture the industry’s experience with Online Harms, and developed significant relationships with key media and journalist organisations, such as Sports Journalists’ Association and the National Union of Journalists.
  
  The Sport Journalist Barometer is publicly available here.

Also part of the fia university, THE FIA Motorsport Engineering Scholarship, is featured in the FIA for a better world > Inclusion and Respect > Unlocking Talent section — please refer there for detailed information.