Four drivers for Alumni Networks: mutual advantage, life-long networking, internationlisation and proffesionalisation. Read the article

Case study - A New International Alumni Programme at The University of Lleida 'The University of Lleida alumni association'

Getting Started - Key Questions for International Alumni Officers

Three fundamental aspects to your (international) alumni programme are:
STRATEGY, TARGET-GROUP, INFRASTRUCTURE.

BUILDING A STRATEGY

Keeping in touch is the natural motivation for communication with your (international) alumni. However, to make it worth while it makes sense to look for further motivation into the strategy of your organisation.

• How does your country's HE-system work? This is an important question. It is very appealing - especially for your board - to have an equivalent of the American alumni-programmes. However, most European countries have a completely different structure for financing their HEI's to the Americans. In fact the HEI's in Europe are generally supported by the tax-payers This will make an American approach unlikely, especially when it comes to alumni.
• Which are the strategic goals of your HEI?
• For which of these goals can (international) alumni-communication be a useful instrument ?

(International) alumni are not primarily interested in your HEI. You have to make it profitable for them to stay in touch with you.

• What are the needs of your (international) alumni?
• What benefits are there in your programme for your (international) alumni?

An (international) alumni-programme should be integrated into the organisation of the HEI. Only then will the organisation invest in the realisation of your programme.
• How are you going to organise commitment in your organisation for the (international) alumni-programme?
• How are you going to organise a fruitful co-operation between the alumni office and the international liaison office?

TARGET-GROUP
Who are your international alumni? Depending the strategy of your HEI, you have to define your target group. Do you want to include:

• Native alumni that went abroad
• Visiting students that have now left your HEI, and also your country
• Non-native alumni living in your country
• Native and non-native contacts abroad (staff, students)

Do you need to develop different strategies for national and international alumni? If you also include the non-native-language-speakers in your alumni-programme, it is likely that you will have to develop different strategies. At least you will have to develop a programme that can be run in different languages.

INFRASTRUCTURE
What infrastructure is needed for a successful (international) alumni-programme? Once you have developed a strategy to which the HEI is committed and identified your targe-group you have to make sure that the 'practicalities' are in place. These are:

• Means of Communication
• Data-base
• Staff to do the work
• Finance to pay for the programme

Over time we will develop FAQs which, although helpful, should only be considered once the above issues have been faced. Answers will never be absolute, as every HEI has to formulate its own solutions. On the other hand, within INTAL it is possible to exchange experience, to make and find suggestions and to contribute in the development of an international alumni strategy that fits both your organisation and your (international) alumni. During the EAIE-conferences there will be several meetings on this topic. In the meantime we can continue our discussions on-line.