The Unisa Alumni Relations Office recently hosted a benchmarking visit from the Capricorn Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College situated in Polokwane. The Capricorn team visited Unisa as part of their preparation to launch their own office as mandated by the Council for Higher Education. With the Unisa Alumni Relations Office approaching its 20^th anniversary in 2028, the office has gathered a wealth of experience and best practices in data management, fundraising, alumni governance and engagement strategies.

The Alumni Relations team was led by Amanda Tlale, Alumni Relations Manager at Unisa (front row, centre). The Capricorn visitors were led by Tebogo Mogale, Assistant Director: Support Services at the Capricorn College (front row, second from right)

Amanda Tlale, Manager of the Alumni Relations Office, highlighted the essential role of alumni engagement for an institution of education. She stated, "The Alumni Relations Office is the link between the institution and its graduates. It is important to ensure that the relationship between the two does not end at graduation but develops into a collaboration that benefits both parties."

To highlight what constitutes alumni relations, the Unisa team explained that over and above building meaningful relationships, the aim is also to provide recognition to the power of a qualification as a lifetime advantage that ties alumni to their alma mater. Furthermore, the office must always promote the institution’s brand and craft ways for alumni to remain actively involved in the institution.

Database management

The Capricorn team was eager to gain insight into alumni data management, as they have not yet explored this feature of alumni engagement. The Unisa team reiterated the importance of a precise alumni database, as it constitutes the basis of all alumni engagements. This includes managing current data as well as importing new data. The Unisa Alumni Relations team captures new alumni information after each graduation at the university. Unisa has an alumni association that provides alumni with opportunities to participate in a few of the university’s activities. Donations received from alumni are tax-deductible.

Graduations

The visitors were informed that graduations are a golden opportunity to connect with graduates. Unisa’s team uses these events to provide graduates with information regarding alumni relations via a welcome message that is published in the graduation programme as well as an alumni presentation that is screened before the graduation ceremony commences. Tlale emphasised, "New alumni must know that they are part of the permanent Unisa stakeholders that support the institution’s sustainability. Contact information of alumni must be treated with utmost confidentiality and in a strategic manner to maintain ongoing communication."

Alumni chapters

The Capricorn colleagues were also briefed on the importance of creating alumni communities like chapters. Unisa currently has 19 active chapters that are set locally and in other African countries. The Alumni Relations team visits these chapters annually to host networking events and do fundraising. These efforts provide financial assistance to underprivileged students who are unable to graduate due to outstanding student fees.

Alumni collaboration with Unisa Convocation

The Unisa Alumni Relations Office collaborates with the Convocation on several projects to support and strengthen relationships with alumni while promoting the institution’s brand. The Convocation plays a pivotal role in providing the strategic direction that contributes to the overall growth and development of the institution.

The visitors indicated that they planned to launch their alumni association after the college’s next graduation later this year. The college is well on its way to creating a strong alumni network that will support the institution and become lifelong partners in sustaining the important work that this college does.

* By Cilla Boucher, Alumni Relations Officer, and Lethabo Nkogatse, Intern: Alumni Relations