NEWS The first International Alumni Leaders Week was held in Umeå last week. Umeå University gladly welcomed the return of seven alumni– former students and postdoctoral researchers – from China, Germany, India and South Korea, who are all acting as alumni chapter contacts in their home countries.
"Umeå University's alumni, who are represented in over 100 countries, are our foremost ambassadors and will help us to maintain a strong international presence. These alumni have been extra involved on behalf of the university and have taken on many initiatives for activities in their home nations," says Anders Fällström, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Umeå University.
Among the participating alumni leaders are Damon Yang and Yi Yuan, founders of the first international network that began in China in 2012. They both studied in master’s degree programmes at Umeå University during 2007 - 2009. The other visiting alumni include former postdocs Renuka Jain and Maneesh Paul from India, Sujin Hwang from South Korea, and Tjorven Pichner and Andree Huk from Germany.
During their visit, the alumni leaders participated in a variety of activities that highlighted what has happened at the university since they last studied here. For example, they were able to observe the new pedagogical learning environments in the Humanities Building, as well as the Sliperiet meeting place of innovation and creativity, and Umeå Arts Campus. In addition, they had the opportunity to learn more about the educational and research currently taking place at Umeå University, as well as getting to meet students from their respective countries to discuss future alumni activities and student recruitment strategies.
The grand finale of the itinerary included an invitation to the university’s annual celebration ceremony and banquet with the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf, in attendance.
Umeå University is actively working to expand relationships with former students from all over the globe, which includes the development of existing country-specific alumni networks. Alumni can become involved in various ways, such as by organizing alumni events for former Umeå students so that they can make valuable professional and social contacts, providing practical advice to Umeå students or employees visiting their regions, and helping the University to recruit new students.
Umeå University Alumni Network
Jessica Bergström GrahnInternational Alumni Coordinator, Umeå University
E-mail: jessica.bergstrom.grahn@umu.se
Phone: +46 (0)72-541 66 35
Editor: David Meyers