The International University Sports Federation (FISU) is scheduled to elect a new head at its General Assembly during the Universiade in Shenzhen, according to yesterday's press conference.

The organization's paramount meeting is expected to be attended by more than 500 members of the FISU family.

The incumbent chairman is American, George E. Killian, who is 87.

In addition to the General Assembly, the FISU will hold its biennial FISU Conference in the city, which is aimed at providing an exchange platform for professionals in the field of university sports research.

Presidents of 128 universities from home and abroad have confirmed their attendance in Shenzhen to exchange views on university development between Aug. 13 and 14.

In cooperation with the International Sports Press Association, the Games organizing committee will organize 44 young journalists from countries such as Germany, Japan, France, South Korea and Hungary to receive training in Shenzhen and cover the Universiade.

FISU was founded in 1949. FISU's main responsibility is the supervision of both Summer and Winter Universiade as well as the World University Championships.

The Universiade is staged every two years in a different city and is second in importance only to the Olympic Games. The record figures for the Summer Universiade are 9,006 participants in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2007 and 174 countries and regions in Daegu, South Korea in 2003.