UNICA Alumni Relations Seminar | 11-12 November, Bucharest University of Economics Studies (ASE)

This event is exclusive for professionals from UNICA member universities.

Following the initiative of the Bucharest University of Economics Studies (ASE), UNICA is pleased to resume its activities in the area of Alumni Relations, reaffirming the key strategic role of the alumni community for institutional development. To kick off this renewed focus, ASE is hosting the UNICA Alumni Relations Seminar “Partners for Life:Unlocking the Strategic Value of Alumni for Universities”, on 11-12 November 2025, which is set to explore the strategic value of alumni engagement.

This meeting will bring together representatives from universities, alumni associations, EU programmes, and related sectors to explore how to strengthen and innovate in this area. The two-day programme will move from strategic reflection to practical application, offering participants a comprehensive view of the role of alumni in university development and engagement.

Target groups: Alumni Relations Officers / Managers (primary), university professionals working in fundraising, IROs, recruitment, career services, communication (secondary, depending on the topics addressed) from UNICA member universities.

Meeting objectives

• To explore the strategic value of alumni engagement in strengthening universities’ societal role and global visibility;
• To exchange experiences and good practices from UNICA member universities;
• To discuss different models of collaboration between universities, alumni associations, and external partners such as industry, research centres, and EU programmes.
• To identify challenges and opportunities in building sustainable alumni communities across diverse institutional and cultural contexts;
• To provide participants with practical tools and insights to design or enhance their own alumni strategies.

Schedule & Programme

About the topic

Alumni relations are not a ceremonial endeavour, they are a strategic necessity. For universities in Europe, investing in alumni engagement offers a powerful way to extend institutional impact, reinforce values, and build sustainable communities of knowledge, across generations and borders.

With growing global competition, evolving labour markets, shifting funding landscapes, as well as the growing popularity of new educational providers and skill-building models, European universities are under pressure to demonstrate their relevance, sustainability, and societal impact. If, on one side, universities need to look inward and creatively rethink about pedagogical approaches, they must also look outward – to their communities – and seize the opportunities these connections offer. And alumni are a powerful resource to that endeavour.

The UNICA Meeting on Alumni Relations aims to provide a space for reflection, exchange, and collaboration on how universities can develop more strategic, inclusive, and impactful approaches to alumni engagement. Through a combination of discussions, case studies, and a practical workshop, the meeting will encourage participants to consider alumni relations not only as a communication function, but as an integral part of institutional development and internationalisation.