University of Europe for Applied Sciences Promotes Inclusion and Student Engagement at the 5th Asian Para Games
The University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE), part of GUS Germany GmbH (GGG), participated in the 5th Asian Para Games, held from 18 to 24 October 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Through its strategic collaboration with the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), UE demonstrated its commitment to international cooperation, inclusive education and providing students with opportunities to gain practical experience beyond the classroom.
The Games brought together athletes and officials from 45 National Paralympic Committees, competing across 18 sports and celebrating sporting excellence, diversity and inclusion.
Representing UE at the event were Prof. Dr. Eman AbuKhousa, lead of the UE–APC collaboration; Prof. Dr. Jiré Emine Gözen, Vice-President for International Affairs and University Development; and UE students Mahek Patel from the Dubai campus and Mohameth Gueye from the Potsdam campus.
Connecting Education with Real-World Experience
UE’s involvement extended beyond attending the international sporting event. Students actively contributed to Games operations, digital communications and cross-campus collaboration, gaining valuable experience in an international environment.
Mahek Patel worked alongside APC officials, supporting event operations and the Athletes Committee Elections. At the same time, she coordinated a team of eight UE students based in Dubai, who provided daily digital coverage of the Games.
Through athlete engagement, digital storytelling and teamwork, the students helped bring the event closer to the wider UE community while developing practical skills in communication, leadership and international collaboration.
Reflecting on her experience, Mahek Patel said:
“I spent the week inside Games operations in Nagoya while directing a team of eight students back in Dubai. That is what this partnership gave me. Not a seat in the stands, but real responsibility in two places at once. I will be drawing on this experience for a long time.”
Advancing Innovation and Inclusion Through International Collaboration
The visit also provided opportunities to explore how emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, digital media and interdisciplinary research can contribute to improving accessibility and inclusion in para sport.
These insights will support the continued development of Beyond Limits, UE’s student-driven initiative established in collaboration with the APC, which aims to connect academic knowledge, innovation and practical engagement.
Prof. Dr. Eman AbuKhousa highlighted the importance of creating meaningful opportunities through the collaboration:
“For UE, the value of this partnership is not simply in being present at the Games, but in giving our students the opportunity to contribute, learn and turn that experience into meaningful action. We must move beyond celebrating human potential to creating the conditions in which it can flourish.”
Prof. Dr. Jiré Emine Gözen also reflected on the event, highlighting the determination of participating athletes and the inequalities in resources and opportunities faced by different national delegations. The experience reinforced the importance of strengthening international cooperation to support greater accessibility and equal opportunities in sport.
Strengthening Global Connections and Social Impact
UE’s participation in the Asian Para Games reflects its commitment to combining academic excellence with practical learning, international engagement and social responsibility.
Through its collaboration with the APC, the university continues to create opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings while contributing to initiatives that promote inclusion and positive social change.
For GUS Germany GmbH, this engagement highlights the value of international academic collaboration in connecting education, innovation and societal impact, while empowering students to make meaningful contributions beyond their studies.
