Wednesday, June 28th: Munster Technological University (MTU) to host the 2025 International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA) on its Kerry campus. The announcement took place today, June 29th, in Dunedin, New Zealand at ISAPA 2023.
MTU Kerry North Campus now kickstarts activity to welcome up to 600 delegates from across the globe to Tralee in June 2025, for the first-of-its-kind conference in Ireland. It will be the biggest conference ever held in MTU Kerry North Campus, and it promises to leave behind a legacy to build on and bring more international conferences to the region, both for MTU and its partners.
Speaking on the announcement, Professor Maggie Cusack, President of MTU said, “Staging the 2025 ISAPA in MTU’s Kerry campus is a huge vote of confidence in MTU and the north Kerry region. Everyone at MTU looks forward to working together with our partners to create a symposium that will add to the huge body of research and knowledge in the field of adapted physical education and activity.
“I especially want to congratulate the UNESCO team at MTU Kerry for their enormous contribution in bringing a symposium of this standing to MTU, Kerry, Munster and Ireland and I look forward to welcoming delegates from across the world to our wonderful campus in Tralee.”
The International Symposium on Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA) is held every second year to provide physical activity professionals with an opportunity to share their knowledge and experience in professional preparation, research, advocacy, and service delivery in the fields of adapted physical activity, physical education, and sport science.
Adapted physical activity plays a crucial role in promoting inclusivity, improving physical and mental well-being, and empowering individuals with disabilities to lead active and fulfilling lives. MTU Kerry's UNESCO Chair is globally recognised in the field of Adapted Physical Activity which enabled MTU to compete favourably against strong competition from throughout the world.
Coinciding with the official announcement in Dunedin, Catherine Carty, UNESCO Chair Manager, MTU said, “We want to firmly establish MTU as a leader in this field bridging the gaps between policy and practice and building capacity of professionals in APA. APA is important in the context of human rights and sustainable development for those living with disabilities and we want to level the playing field”.
ISAPA spokesperson Cindy Sit, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong said, “The International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA) is very excited to bring our international symposium to MTU. The expertise in MTU across policy, practice and research is globally recognised and I’m confident our delegates will learn and grow from ISAPA 2025 Kerry.”
The international conference will take place at MTU’s Kerry Sports Academy, as well as venues across Tralee which will host a variety of workshops, conferences and a comprehensive schedule of social programmes.
The new Tralee to Fenit Greenway will provide accessible transport links between the venues on the Wild Atlantic Way, while host families are sought to accommodate delegates from developing countries.
MTU’s winning bid was supported by a range of partners and business including UNESCO, Fáilte Ireland, Kerry Convention Bureau, Active Disability Ireland, and St John of Gods Skills for Life.
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About MTU
Munster Technological University is a multi-campus technological university consisting of six campuses across the South-West region in Cork and Kerry, and a student body of 18,000. It is a leader in higher education both regionally and internationally through the provision of academic programmes that support student development and opportunities, education and research.