By Serge Sych. Although the set up and scope of alumni relations offices may differ from country to country, there is an unmistakable trend across the board that alumni relations are becoming more and more integrated in the primary processes of higher education organisations. The increased scope of services and functions of these offices demand specific skills and competences of their managers and one aspect crucial to the success of alumni relations is an efficient way of recording alumni details.
A well functioning alumni relations office for higher education institutions is essential. Through alumni, the recruitment of (international) students can be increased. Alumni can support current students with their career planning through alumni mentorships and coaching, and they can provide internships or offer job positions. Alumni are important for their input on the quality of your institution’s educational programmes and research. Additionally, by keeping track of your alumni you can measure the employability of your graduates. More...