School of Physical Education, Mongolian National University of Education

The School of Physical Education of the Mongolian National University of Education has a long and distinguished history and has played an important role in the development of Mongolia’s physical education and sports sector.

Historical Development

Pursuant to Resolution No. 287 of the Council of Ministers of the Mongolian People’s Republic, dated April 6, 1955, a physical education teacher-training program was established within the State Teachers’ Institute in the 1955–1956 academic year. It began with one department, five lecturers, and 30 students.

Over its historic 75-year development, the institution’s name changed several times, while its scope of activities continued to expand. Its development can be summarized as follows:

• In the 1955–1956 academic year, it operated under the Chemistry, Biology, and Physical Education Division.

• From 1957 to 1960, it was affiliated with the Faculty of Labor and Physical Education.

• In the 1960–1961 academic year, it was affiliated with the Faculty of Chemistry, Biology, and Physical Education.

• Beginning in the 1963–1964 academic year, the first independent Institute of Physical Education was established pursuant to Resolution No. 363 of the Central Committee of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party. For five years, its teaching and educational activities were conducted at the Central Sports Palace.

• In 1968, the Institute of Physical Education was dissolved and reorganized as the Faculty of Physical Education of the State Pedagogical University.

• In 1983, it became the Faculty of Physical Education and Arts.

• In 1990, it became the Faculty of Physical Education.

• In 1991, it was reorganized as the Institute of Physical Education of the Mongolian State University of Education.

• From 2001 to 2013, it operated as the School of Physical Education of the Mongolian National University of Education.

• From 2014 to 2017, it operated as the School of Arts and Physical Education.

• Since 2001, it has operated as the School of Physical Education of the Mongolian National University of Education.

During the early years of the School, it trained only physical education teachers. It began training sports coaches in 1989, sports journalists in 1996, sports tourism specialists in 2004, and physical education methodologists in 2019. Through these programs, the School has played a leading role in developing highly qualified human resources for all areas of Mongolia’s sports sector.

The School’s first gymnasium was constructed in 1960 as an extension to the academic building of the State Pedagogical University. In 1991, a new academic building was opened in Building B of the Mongolian State University of Education. The facility had a total area of 3,319.3 square meters and included two large gymnasiums, four smaller sports halls, more than ten classrooms, and a lecture hall.

Today, the classrooms are equipped with modern interactive smart boards and laptop computers. The School also has a 673-square-meter library with 200 seats and a collection of 31,530 books. The library is staffed by three librarians and information specialists.

Distinguished Alumni

The School takes great pride in its many graduates who have earned national and international recognition in Mongolia’s sports sector. Their achievements include:

• 8 recipients of the title of People’s Teacher of Mongolia

• 6 recipients of the title of Labor Hero of Mongolia

• 9 Olympic medalists

• 59 Honored Coaches of Mongolia

• 57 Honored Athletes of Mongolia

Textbooks and Academic Resources

Professional textbooks for physical education teachers and specialists were first introduced in 1962 through translations from Russian.

Today, faculty researchers and lecturers of the School have authored and use a wide range of professional textbooks in their teaching activities, including:

• Fundamentals of the Theory of Physical Education

• Methodology of Physical Education Instruction

• Theory and Methodology of Sports Training

• Physiology of the Healthy Human Body

• Sports Medicine

• Sports Metrology

• Athletics

• Gymnastics

• Team Sports

• Sports Biomechanics

• Sports Journalism

The School’s faculty members have also prepared the textbook Physical Education for all students of the Mongolian National University of Education.

Current Structure

The School is currently led by Director O. Bold-Erdene, Ph.D. It consists of four departments and employs more than 40 faculty and staff members. Approximately 1,000 students are currently enrolled in its academic programs.

At present, 59 percent of the School’s faculty members hold doctoral degrees. They have played leading roles in national projects and program teams responsible for reforming secondary-school physical education curricula and addressing issues related to the training of elite athletes.

Research and Academic Publications

Since 2007, the School has published the academic journal Physical Education. Since 2019, it has also published the journal Physical Education and Sports Education, which has developed into a recognized academic publication at both the Mongolian National University of Education and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

Since 2019, the School has established a tradition of jointly organizing the international academic conference entitled “Physical Education and Sports Development” in cooperation with the relevant national sports research organization.

The conference has become a regular international event where researchers from Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, India, the People’s Republic of China, the Federal Republic of Germany, and other countries present and discuss their research findings.

Seven to eight faculty researchers from the School have published articles in internationally ranked academic journals with impact factors.

The School has also successfully implemented two internally funded research projects and published two collaborative monographs.

Student Research and Sports Competitions

The School annually organizes the MNUE Open competition in the following sports:

• Judo

• Jiu-jitsu

• Volleyball

• Aerobics

• Athletics

These competitions support the recruitment of students with advanced athletic abilities.

Beginning in 2026, the Student Researcher Academic Conference has been organized in a new format. Outstanding student researchers are selected through a two-stage process. The student chosen as the best presenter, together with their academic supervisor, was supported to participate in an international academic conference in the Republic of Korea.

Scholarships for Sports Coaching Students

In recent years, the School has responded to the shortage of qualified professional coaches in several sports.

It has begun implementing agreements with the national federations of volleyball, basketball, football, swimming, jiu-jitsu, and other sports. Under these agreements, scholarships are provided for up to 20 students to study in professional coaching programs.

Digital and Technical Facilities

The School is fully equipped with modern digital infrastructure and technical facilities, including:

• A 597.2-square-meter gymnasium equipped with an electronic scoreboard, a complete sound amplification system, and audio equipment

• A 134.7-square-meter lecture hall with seating for 120 people, equipped with a smart board, microphones, and an amplification system

• Ten seminar rooms ranging from 30 to 45 square meters, equipped with smart displays and internet access

• Portable projectors for use in gymnasiums

• A research laboratory equipped with Dartfish and other research software

• Desktop and laptop computers for every faculty member

• Dedicated rooms for producing podcasts and digital content

• Self-service kiosks where students can obtain academic results, payment information, and official certificates in Mongolian and English

• Free access to the internet, electricity, and drinking water

• A library and self-service learning environment

Accreditation

The School’s academic programs have received the following accreditations:

• The Physical Education Teacher Education program was accredited twice, in 2020 and 2025.

• The Sports Coaching program was accredited in 2023.

• The master’s program received national accreditation in 2024.