Getting alumni involved in activities brings many advantages for a university. This might include mentoring students, guest lecturing, or simply acting as role models for students. Although the situation varies from faculty to faculty, an increasing number of faculties and/or programmes are bringing alumni closer to their programmes through various types of advisory functions. Among other things, this seeks to gain the unique perspectives of former students who have entered the labour market and had time to reflect on their education here. Our alumni also play an important role in the University's external engagement with organisations and businesses.
For alumni themselves, the network of other alumni offers professional development. In times of rapid societal change, including through digitalisation and artificial intelligence, both the need and demand for professional development are increasing. Indeed, lifelong learning is one of the areas where our interests as a university converge with those of our alumni – common interests in further development. The University can foresee the need for even more courses to be delivered digitally and not tied to time zones, so that our international alumni can also benefit.
A global ambassador programme with around 100 committed international alumni is already in place. Together with courses and study programmes, departments, faculties and Networks and Alumni Relations at the Division of Global Engagement, we can do so much more with alumni – our greatest untapped 'resource' and our best ambassadors!
/ Kristina Eneroth, pro vice-chancellor
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