Our alumni are the best ambassadors for our university, both domestically and internationally. They can contribute to the activities of UGent in numerous ways: by supporting internships and career days, contributing to curriculum reform, and serving as a link between the university and a broader professional field. Additionally, alumni create networking opportunities that may lead to valuable partnerships and sponsorships, which in turn may drive innovation and societal impact. Investing in a strong alumni network is therefore a conscious choice for us.
Some programmes or faculties already have an active and extensive alumni network, while others may need assistance to further develop this. We believe that our alumni engagement can be further strengthened through more coordination and a more conscious positioning of the alumni network. Alumni are not always reached in the right way today, and the opportunities for collaboration remain underutilised. Therefore, we aim to strengthen alumni engagement through two policy lines in the next term of office:
- More coordinated support for faculty and programme-specific networks
Alumni and faculty and programme-specific associations are connected through the Infinitum platform. However, the platform has its limitations. Especially when faculties or programmes do not yet have a well-functioning alumni network, the platform does not allow for the initiation thereof. The search feature is not optimal, data and information are only fragmentarily available, and communication via the platform to alumni is inefficient. Therefore, we will ensure that faculties are better supported in collecting alumni data and that faculties can more easily use the data we collect, for example, for sending out alumni surveys. Naturally, this will be done with respect for privacy and will in no way lead to a depletion of the information that faculties already possess.
We are aware that it is not always evident to bind graduated students to the university. When students do not feel addressed by the alumni network, they often will not want to be part of it. It is therefore crucial that they meet the alumni network during their studies. This can be done through mentoring programmes, internships, networking events, etc., where the added value of the alumni network is clearly demonstrated. This facilitates their transition from student to alumnus and promotes long-term affiliation with the university.
The university has ambitious infrastructure plans for the future. We will ensure that these buildings also include spaces that can be used as representative meeting rooms, such as the contemporary version of the faculty club. This provides alumni with a place to meet and enhances the university’s image. These are not expensive or luxurious environments, but inspiring and professional spaces, such as libraries or learning centres. Alumni and external sponsors can be welcomed here in an appropriate and professional manner. Creating such spaces not only enhances UGent’s image as a knowledge institution but also provides an attractive environment for collaboration, innovation, and networking.
To achieve this, we rely not only on voluntary contributions or limited resources from the faculties. A funding strategy must be devised and implemented for alumni activities. Voluntary contributions from alumni, for example through membership fees, will remain an important pillar. Companies and organisations could also make contributions. Alumni engagement can thus be transformed into a strategic instrument with significant benefits for the university.
- Creating impact through a better positioning of the alumni network
A better positioning of the alumni network offers benefits for both students and for education and research at our university. Through close collaborations with our alumni in domestic and international companies, governments, organisations, etc., we can offer students more internship opportunities and help them become more familiar with the professional field, preparing them for the labour market. Through our alumni, we can also keep our finger on the pulse of societal and professional field developments that are relevant to the university’s research. This not only strengthens the ties between education and the professional field but also creates more opportunities for the valorisation of academic knowledge.
The international reach of UGent’s alumni network is underutilised, despite the fact that more and more graduates are making an impact worldwide. A well-maintained international network offers students and staff the chance to discover study, professional, and research opportunities worldwide. This enhances UGent’s visibility, which helps attract students to our internationally oriented study programmes. Especially now that UGent’s foreign PhD population continues to grow, we must seize this opportunity.