Running from August 12 to 14, the educational event, being held online this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, has 1,200 participants already registered.

Around half are students and 40 per cent are officials from FISU's Member Federations, with more than 100 coming from extended FISU officials.

"Every two years, the FISU World Forum offers an opportunity for the entire FISU Family to gather and to exchange ideas, contacts, and good practices in the field of university sports," said FISU Education Committee chair Verena Burk.

"Despite this year’s situation worldwide, I am pleased that the FISU World Forum will be hosted digitally. 

"This pioneering event organised by FISU, the Hungarian University Sports Federation as well as the University of Physical Education of Budapest will allow students, officials and other partners involved in the University Sports Movement to share their respective vision and experiences."

This year's student project, which usually takes place during the Forum, has already started with a pre-learning platform that been online and available since August 1.

"It is an exciting theme that the students can adapt their projects to,” said FISU Oceania secretary general and Education Committee member Donna Spethman.

"The project theme was chosen to reflect the current environment and how sport can be a positive influence on the life of a student."

A total of 96 students representing all five Continental University Sports Federations and 55 countries are participating in the student projects, with over 500 students having access to the e-learning platform.

"Having the student programme run in parallel to the FISU World Forum also enables students to network, connect and share ideas with other students from across the world,” said FISU Education Committee member Renata Bojczuk.

"It also gives students the chance to influence the development of university sport, not only at their local or national level, but also at the international level. 

"At the same time, this gives FISU new ideas to develop and explore based on project concepts."

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is among the officials who are due to speak at tomorrow's Opening Ceremony.

FISU President Oleg Matytsin is due to open the forum, with contributions from Tünde Szabó, Lajos Mocsai and Burk.

Matytsin will participate in the opening panel discussion on "70 years of FISU", which will focus on sustainability and legacy.

Panel discussions will also focus on the FISU global strategy, Inclusion in university sport and challenges in university sport during the three-day event, with the coronavirus pandemic set to be among the topics included in the latter.

Workshops will also take place across the three days.

Talks on FISU's Healthy Campus initiative as well as discussions on digital success of esports are among the highlights of the first day.

Day two looks at challenges in university sport and how universities can add value through the Healthy Campus programme, as well as promoting health in universities through the digital era.

The final day will look at the FISU brand and future development, with the presentation of student projects and the Closing Ceremony concluding the three-day event.