Student employability: don't forget to harness the power of your alumni

An alumni platform to share information, experiences and advice can boost student support and satisfaction, says Zahir Irani. The debate over higher tuition fees has naturally focused on the impact of rising costs on application rates and student expectations, but where are alumni relations in the post-tuition-rise mix?
No one in academia wants to see university education turned into a commodity but the reality of higher fees is that students are all too often working out how they can extract as much value as they can from an investment in their education. Pole position in league tables, new buildings, accreditations and the promise of an enhanced student experience will always attract new students – such factors are critical when it comes to universities seeking to be different. More...