An ECU Alumni event was held to celebrate with a keynote speech delivered by ECU alum Dr Nick Winkelman.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) has hit a milestone of 1000 graduates from the Postgraduate Courses in Strength and Conditioning (Masters and Graduate Certificate of Exercise Science [Strength and Conditioning]).
An ECU Alumni event was held to celebrate the achievement with a keynote speech delivered by ECU alum Dr Nick Winkelman attended by current students, alumni and strength and conditioning industry professionals.
The event celebrated the achievements of ECU Strength and Conditioning graduates and highlighted ECU's dedication to world-class education.
Strong beginnings
ECU's Postgraduate Courses in Strength and Conditioning have been a pioneer in online education since its inception in 2005.
The program provides sports science or related graduates an opportunity for advanced study and to enhance their training in the field of strength and conditioning.
ECU Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Human Performance Sophia Nimphius said the degree was ahead of its time while continuing to evolve.
"I would like to emphasise that this was an online degree in 2005, a time before the first iPhone and when the most popular phone at the time was the Nokia 1100," Professor Nimphius said.
"ECU's online postgraduate courses were early adopters of online learning while uniquely bringing students to ECU from all of the world for the two-week practicum. The practicum creates lifelong bonds, professional connections and solidifies theoretical learning with practical foundations.
"It created a community that was and continues to be, one of the most diverse and far-reaching alumni communities in strength and conditioning education in the world."
Strengthening the lives of others
ECU was delighted to welcome back star alum, Dr Nick Winkelman for the special event.
Dr Winkelman graduated from ECU in 2010 and is currently the Head of Athletic Performance and Science at Irish Rugby Football Union. Prior to this post, he served as the Director of Movement and Education for EXOS, where he delivered education services in 20 countries and developed innovation online educational services to coaches around the world.
Dr Winkelman said that undertaking his Strength and Conditioning Masters at ECU was the single most important thing he had ever done in his professional career.
"The fact that we work in a service business where we dedicate our lives to helping other people better their lives, I just can't think of a more fulfilling place," Dr Winkelman said.
"It's the whole reason I got into this industry, which was to inevitably have the opportunity to do enough to stand here and to give back."
Dr Winkelman was also recently awarded the International Alumni Award at this year's ECU Alumni Awards.
At the event, Dr Winkelman shared his immense thanks with the audience and said that academics stand on the shoulder of giants.
"The lecturers, professors and graduates who represent ECU in the strength and conditioning community, quite literally are the best in the world," Dr Winkelman said.
"They are single greatest collection of intellectual and professional influencers in the entire domain of human performance."
Fulfilling careers
Over 1000 graduates from the ECU Postgraduate Courses in Strength and Conditioning have embarked on incredible and fulfilling careers.
Notable organisations like the UFC Performance Institute, Arsenal Football Club, Surfing Australia, Australian Institute of Sport, and the Royal Australian Air Force have been enriched by the contributions of ECU alumni.
Strength and Conditioning graduates are making a significant impact and shaping the profession worldwide, from the United Kingdom and Greece to Hong Kong, Japan and India, to Canada and the United States, among many others.
Find out more about ECU's Masters of Exercise Science (Strength and Conditioning).
1000 graduates from Strength and Conditioning courses
