IDUS, proclaimed by UNESCO in 2015 this year featured events in Lausanne where FISU is based, as well as across the world.

The most high-profile event was the lighting of the flame here for next year's Torch Relay building up to the start of the Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk in Russia on March 2. 

In the Swiss city renowned local athletes Zoé Cheli and Augustin Maillefer attended to chat about university sport and the day itself.

"It’s a really cool event for the students, especially to try out some new sport that they can then practice on the campus afterwards," said ski cross star Cheli.

Two-time Olympic rower Maillefer, meanwhile, claimed the important thing was to "have fun" through sport.

IDUS is described by FISU as a platform "for the global exchange of ideas and development" through university sport.

"It is all part of FISU’s endeavour to create stronger sporting cultures in universities and encourage physical activity," Cheli and Maillefer said.

FISU secretary general and chief executive Eric Saintrond went further, claiming it is their job to look after "the health" of students.

He made the statement while discussing a new project set to launch in 2019 called "Healthy Campus".

"It is a fact that a huge number of students are inactive or not active enough," he said.

"It is for this reason that FISU is launching the 'Healthy Campus' project, as it will provide opportunities to all students to participate in recreational sport and physical activity.

"The universities will be provided the tools through which they will implement and manage this project."