As part of the acquisition of free credits for their course of study (3 ECTS), which can replace and/or supplement the optional modules included in the study plan, six first- and second-year students from the Bachelor of Science SUPSI in Leisure Management programme were involved in an applied project linked to a series of internationally significant sporting events in our region.
The training project is part of a series of Olympic disciplines in Freestyle, Moguls and Aerials, which will bring young athletes from all over the world to the Ticino snow of Airolo for three events: Raiffeisen FIS Freestyle Europa Cup – Moguls (2-3 February 2026), Raiffeisen FIS Freestyle Europa Cup – Aerials (7-8 March 2026) and Raiffeisen FIS Freestyle Junior World Ski Championships (19-22 March 2026). Events of this magnitude are not only a sporting and tourist showcase for the region, but also an ideal laboratory for training future professionals in the leisure sector.
The students involved were divided into three specific operational areas, mainly in relation to the World Championships on 19-22 March: sponsoring and venue branding; communication, media and promotion; side events. This organisation allowed them to work in a targeted manner on different specific skills, while promoting teamwork and an overview of the event. Participation in the training project involves a total of 90 hours of work for each student and provides the opportunity to engage with the real dynamics of planning, coordinating and managing a major sporting event, acquiring practical skills that are difficult to replicate in a purely theoretical context.
A central figure in the project is Deborah Scanzio, the main contact person for the partner and current Head of Marketing & Sales at Valbianca SA. Her profile represents an ideal bridge between training, professional practice and high-level sport: a former student of the Bachelor's degree in Leisure Management, Deborah Scanzio has also participated in four editions of the Olympic Games, bringing a unique wealth of skills, many years of experience and applied strategic vision to the project. Her career path is concrete evidence of the opportunities that targeted and applied training can offer students.
"Experiencing the organisation of major sporting events from the inside – emphasises Deborah Scanzio – allows students to engage with the professional world, with all its complexities and limitations, but also its great passion. I am delighted to be collaborating with the Bachelor's degree programme in Leisure Management that trained me and to be putting my experience at the service of students in a context that authentically reflects professional life. It is not always possible to follow every aspect as one would like, but this is also part of real life," concludes the Marketing & Sales Manager of Valbianca SA.
This collaboration confirms Valbianca SA's commitment to supporting the training of young people and the development of skills related to the local area and the events sector. For the SUPSI Bachelor of Science in Leisure Management, the project is a virtuous example of experiential learning, capable of preparing students to face the challenges of the events and leisure sector with awareness, professionalism and a critical spirit, even at an international level.
Foto by: Anya Censi Photography