Check out Exeter’s international network of volunteers.

International Alumni Communities Reunite

Volunteers and alumni network groups around the world were brought together throughout the first half of this year in networking reunions, many using virtual platforms to match alumni and student guests for an interactive and fun experience.  

In January, the France network held an evening event where we heard from volunteer ambassadors, Barbara Schudel (BA French & German 1968) and Poppy Jael Mason Taylor (BA French and Arabic 2013), followed by career insights of Professor David Bates (BA History 1966), a historian of Britain and France, and the graduate career experiences of Christopher Velupillai (Engineering and Management 2013).

At an event reuniting the Exeter community in India during March, we heard from volunteer and member of the India Exeter Alumni Association, Archit Garg (MSc International Management 2014), followed by the fascinating career experiences of journalist and author, Kusum Lata Sawhney (MA/M.Phil English Literature 1986).

Following a similar virtual experience, Ali Golds (PGCE 2009), organised the first event for the alumni community in Italy during March. This was shortly followed by a joint reunion event with topical discussion in April, uniting Exeter alumni in Italy and Belgium. Regional ambassador for Brussels, Paul Webber (Economics & Agricultural Economics 1994), joined Ali to organise and host the evening event.

Our Hong Kong alumni and student community jointly organised a networking event in late March. First we heard from alumnus and Chair of the Hong Kong Alumni Group, Chris Tang (LLB Law, 1996), who shared highlights of the group’s activities and welcomed new members to continue to join in. Student and President of the Exeter Hong Kong Public Affairs and Social Service Society, Paco Wong (BSc Accounting and Finance, 2022), talked of his career ambitions and the changed to the student experience over the past two months due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Volunteers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) joined forces at the start of 2021 to make a new network for the region. Their first event in April offered a networking evening where we met some of our existing volunteers, shared career insights and tips for graduates. Alexandra Claudia Vacca (Lexie) (BA Modern Languages 2013), Kyriakos Papadopoulos (BSc Mathematics 2003) and Naveen Fatima (MSc Human Resource Management 2018), spoke at this first event and shared their plans to involve many other alumni and students in their future activities.

Another new network group launched this year for Malaysia offered a launch event in mid-April for alumni and students. We heard from volunteer ambassadors, Jes Way Lua (BA Business & Accounting 2005) and Amy Ong (BSc Accounting and Finance 2018) about why and how they volunteer for their University. Current student, Jonson Lim (BSc Accounting and Finance, 2022), President of the Malaysian Society, talked of his passion for engaging students in meaningful and employability activities and shared his career aims.

The Exeter community in Vietnam were able to host an in-person reunion in Hanoi on 24 April. This long-awaited event reuniting alumni and involving students from the region involved a dinner, interactive competitions, games and many continued the celebrations at an ‘After Party’ at a nearby venue. Thanks to Trang (Suzie) Vu, (BA Economics and Finance 2013) and a group of volunteers from the region for organising and hosting this event.

Please lookout for more alumni events like these from Exeter’s international network of volunteers.

Did you attend or are you located in any of the countries mentioned in this article? We welcome you to join our country networks on social media:

-       France: LinkedIn and Facebook
-       India: LinkedIn and Facebook
-       Italy: LinkedIn and Facebook
-       Belgium: LinkedIn and Facebook
-       Hong Kong: LinkedIn and Facebook
-       Middle East and North Africa (MENA): LinkedIn and Facebook
-       Malaysia: LinkedIn and Facebook
-       Vietnam: Facebook

Date: 27 April 2021