Keeping our global alumni connected

International alumni groups are working hard to keep our international alumni connected to Birmingham and each other. 

As a global university we are very privileged to have so many dedicated international alumni who are both passionate about helping fellow alumni stay connected, and also keen to support current students back in Birmingham.

"We aim to maintain a close relationship with our alumni wherever they are in the world. With more than 70,000 alumni living overseas, it's really our international alumni volunteers who make this a reality.

"Volunteers have faciliated alumni groups from the USA to Singapore, working together to organise networking events, socials and various fun activities such as hiking events and quiz nights.

"A real highlight for me was seeing all the photos from this year's Global Alumni Gathering, which saw more than 20 alumni events take place across the globe." Jane Bower, International Alumni Officer

Watch our latest International Alumni Community film:

Our Alumni Association for Hong Kong, established in 1978, is a fantastic example of one of our active international alumni groups who arrange a number of regional events as well as supporting University activities. One of the group members, Jonathan Wong, also volunteers his time to co-ordinate a Hong Kong Mentoring programme by helping to recruit alumni living in Hong Kong to offer employability advice and insight to the current job market to our students. This mentoring scheme, first piloted in 2015, now has 21 mentor volunteers supporting Birmingham students.

“With my experience in my career, I have seen how offering guidance and encouragement to young people as a mentor can enhance their professional development. I therefore had the desire to introduce such a programme with the Alumni Office to our students and graduates with connection to Hong Kong, which would also strengthen the connection of the alumni with the University.” Jonathan Wong (BEng & Com Engineering Production and Economics, 1990)

Other volunteers in Hong Kong have been supporting recruitment by attending events in the region and sharing their experiences of living and studying in Birmingham with new students at pre-departure events. 

"It has been my pleasure to support the University, as I received much support during my studies. I hope that as part of the family, we alumni can pass it on through sharing first-hand experience, particularly to the new students. 

"Volunteering for the University provided me with a great opportunity to get in touch with the current students and staff, and to keep myself updated with what's happening around the campus. This is also how a sense of belonging and bonding can be fostered even though I'm no longer in the UK after graduation." Abigail Tam (MA Contemporary History, 2013)

Find out more about our international alumni groups and how to get involved.