Summary UM alumni policy 2021-2026
Maastricht University (UM) now has some 81,537 alumni. Of these, 57% are Dutch nationals, 20% German and 5% Belgian. That no fewer than 148 nationalities are represented is testament to the international character of our university.
Large-scale needs survey
The Alumni Office forms an important link between UM and its alumni when it comes to sharing knowledge, talent and experience. To remain relevant in the lives of UM alumni, the Alumni Office has revised its policy for the period 2021–26. Input for this revised policy was obtained from a large-scale needs survey among alumni (approx. 7,500 respondents). The survey was carried out in the course of 2020 in collaboration with the Service Science Factory.
Alumni ecosystem
In the next five years we will develop an advanced ecosystem for students and alumni that prioritises mutual connections and personal added value. Our service provision will aim to facilitate the ‘student–alum journey’ and beyond, encompassing successive life stages and associated career needs. We will focus in particular on the ‘warm transition’ from student to alum.
Strategic pillars
This ecosystem revolves around three strategic pillars: networking, lifelong development and giving back. Various activities are being developed under these pillars, such as the founding of alumni communities (based on study background, location or specific themes), lifelong-development initiatives and volunteer work. The marketing and communication strategy must naturally be geared towards these three pillars. A separate proposition is being developed for each phase in the ‘student–alum journey’.
Conditions
An important precondition for a well-functioning alumni ecosystem is a digital, multifunctional, user-friendly and interactive alumni platform. Relevant, up-to-date data are needed to ensure that such a platform provides a personalised experience. Another key precondition is the pooling of human resources in a single UM-wide Alumni Team, which not only brings benefits for synergy but also ensures optimal coordination of the three pillars across the faculties. Taken together, these two preconditions will play an important role in the lead time and, ultimately, the success of the new alumni strategy.
'Meeting Minds’
Our mission is to build reciprocal, sustainable and meaningful relationships in a close national and international academic network of diverse communities.
UM alumni policy 2021-2026 (pdf)