Based from my own experience as Emeritus Chairman of Federation Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Alumni Associations, Inc., and former President of Kelab AIM Malaysia, undoubtedly, I found an alumni network is the most valuable asset to the alma mater. It is an invaluable yet often underutilized resource, brimming with knowledge, experience, and the connections of its members. Alumni networks have the potential to bridge the gap between the institutions and the alumni who can impact their alma mater's development in different ways. Our alumni networks can reinforce the institution's legacy.
The impact of learning acquired during the programs can only be realized long after we graduated. It is the sum total of every interaction an alumnus may have with their old institutions that described how we feel about our alma maters. A good alumni experience might mean someone continues to be still engaged with their alma maters and fellow alumnus; a bad experience may mean they disengage from their old institution and leave it firmly in their past.
I realized alumni association can provide corporate knowledge and networks, such as industry trends, experience of the market place to involve in program development & the institution strategy, and crucially, fundraising. It is acknowledged that alumni are important to our continued development of our alma maters and a carefully cultivated alumni relationship can bring many long-term benefits. Alumni can gain from career advice, access to business networks.
My experience in alumni engagement takes various forms, including teaching and research projects involvement. Engagement in teaching includes alumni as adjunct professor in classes and teaching the entire courses, joint writing of cases, and real case consultancy projects. On a strategic level, as alumni, I provide industry and management inputs in program development through specific alumni groups. Bringing alumni back to the classroom is real mutually beneficial and motivating experience for both alumni & students. Role models among leading alumni and their contributions are the key success factors.
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