A Truly Global Community: UCD’s Alumni

Fisayo Akinlude speaks to those who reach out to UCD’s alumni, as they work to form networks and partnerships that span cities, countries, and continents.WHILE it may come as a surprise to many current students, UCD’s alumni are an active and involved part of the university during and outside the school year. UCD’s alumni database is the largest in Ireland and certainly no small thing in comparison to other universities. Official statistics say that 85% of alumni are located in Ireland with only 15% abroad. Considering the numbers of alumni who don’t register with the Alumni Network, in reality this figure could be anything up to 40%.Nicole Black is head of UCD’s Alumni Relations Office, which is concentrating on growing links with alumni as much as possible. Their objective is to enhance the student experience and try to get them engaged from when they first enrol. In this way, relations and connections can continue after they leave. However, that small group has managed to triple alumni engagement in the last year, to 180,000 addresses and 110,000 email contacts across 170 countries.Sinead Corcoran, newly appointed Global Relations Officer within the office, has been tasked with developing alumni engagement overseas. The traditional way of doing this was an alumnus relocating to France, for example, and subsequently getting in contact with the office to set up or engage with the local chapter. Sinead’s role is to do that using newer, streamlined processes and technology.The new Alumni Network site integrates users’ LinkedIn profiles, allowing for more direct communication and volunteered information. There are already over 2000 members and that figure is growing in number. In a similar vein, the office will also be launching its pilot Online Mentoring programme, which will connect alumni all over the world looking to volunteer or take advantage of professional career development advice. It is an attempt to support the in demand career mentoring beyond a student’s time at the university.
“The small group has managed to triple alumni engagement in the last year, to 180,000 addresses and 110,000 email contacts across 170 countries”
The office also invests much time and resources into the annual alumni magazine, UCD Connections, which is sent to all alumni overseas. Perhaps fitting, this year’s issue is titled “UCD Around the World” and is estimated to have reached 330,000 viewers across the globe. In this way, past students are kept up-to-date about activities and goings-on in Ireland and other UCD campuses around the world.International chapters are involved with a variety of activities in conjunction with their alma mater. One of such activities is receiving the President of the University in their various cities. In October, Professor Deeks will be going to Beijing and Shanghai where he will be received by local alumni chapter members such as Rory Sexton, head of Apple China, who will then give talks about his career to date. The President will also be making his way across the Atlantic to the American chapters next February.But it’s not all stiff formality. London-based Chapter head, David O’Reilly has organised social events for the UK alumni chapter. The Chapter often has regular informal meetups in London a few times a year and annual dinners in places like Kensington. O’Reilly also participated in an impressive reception and lecture for UCD alumni at the House of Lords in February earlier this year.The Alumni experience is not exclusive to former undergrad students. Also based in London is Eoin Lyons, an MBA graduate. He speaks warmly of his continued contribution to the university as a way to give back. He has participated in the online mentoring programme through Skype, the UCD Festival and has attended several award nights. He also helped arrange several speakers at alumni events in London and Ireland. Lyons cites his continued engagement with the university, especially on digital spaces as a “function of being away.” He has remained close friends with his graduating class, with whom he meets regularly.
“The inaugural UCD Festival which took place in June this year called back over six-and-a-half thousand alumni back to the Belfield campus”
The inaugural UCD Festival which took place in June this year called back over six-and-a-half thousand alumni back to the Belfield campus from over 30 countries around the world. Though inspired by American Homecoming traditions, it was organised as a festival. The Alumni Relations organiser hopes next year’s will be bigger and better.Beyond the festival, the UCD Alumni Awards are hosted every November in O’Reilly Hall. Here, successful former students are recognised and awarded for their achievements across various fields of study.The university’s continued relations with alumni around the world are, in truth, far more engaged and involved than one might have initially imagined. The involvement of the international alumni themselves is highly admirable as they continue to contribute to the learning experience of current students through mentoring programmes, fundraising hundreds of thousands and participation in the UCD Foundation, which works to create scholarships for students.