Introduction

The involvement of alumni in supporting and providing contributions voluntarily to their college is important for maintaining and expanding a college’s development. By establishing channels that can facilitate closer ties between the alumni, students and college, it can provide crucial benefits in enriching the student’s experience while being at the college. Every alumni has experienced being a student to becoming a unique and different graduate, hence there is potential for all alumni to contribute to the college in different ways and scale.

Role model and inspiration

Alumni is an effective role model and can be easily accepted by students. With the return of the alumni to support the college, they bring with them credibility and justification as part of a successful college, having breathed the same air and encountering similar challenges faced by the students. Experiences that are shared by the alumni with students whether in time management, financial management, development of self-discipline and character, or in career management can be more easily accepted as guidance and inspiration by students. Through this way, alumni can assist in strengthening confidence, improve motivation and inculcate the right culture in line with what the college intends to convey to its students.

Career mentor

Competition in entering the work force is becoming more intensive as a result of a higher number of graduates compared with a limited number of job opportunities. Job availability is more critical in certain sectors. In the final year of their studies, students must identify seriously their career prospects. This is the right time for alumni to support the students by mentoring them on their career opportunities in the industry and opening channels for the students for acceptance, either in undergoing practical learning or work experience in the institutions where the alumni reside in. Alumni can be a reference for the faculty concerned in meeting the needs of students and graduates in obtaining work in selected fields. The curiculum at the college can be improved as to fulfill the work aspirations of the students.

Improve student recruitment efforts

Alumni can encourage students especially their family and friends to consider their college as the provider of higher education. The alumni can also show the students on how to join the work field after finishing their studies. Experiences in the college and the success of the alumni in their work can be of significant factors for students in choosing a college . Other than that, voluntary alumni can be ambassadors that are involved actively in student recruitment efforts that are made by the faculties of the college . The initiatives can be implemented at a national, regional and international level depending on the alumni’s potential and position.

Support the college’s reputation

Views and positive statements that alumni present in relation to their college through media or other physical or social means provides support for the institution reputation. It can influence the community because of public perception that the alumni is more understanding of the challenges faced at the college having undertaking several years at the college. Alumni that have served successfully in various sectors, either domestically or internationally, have authenticated the quality and effectiveness of the education program, research and the college’s community. The more influential the position of the alumni in their work, the higher the recognition that society will place on the particular college.

Summary

The alumni’s role is crucial for the development of the college. All alumni can provide support in various aspects that are beneficial to the students, graduates, alumni, universities and the society. The alumni’s opinion in developing the college and proposed solutions to the challenges faced by the college is highly valued by the college in achieving its vision and mission. The alumni is an asset to the institution, and their contributions and involvement can significantly increase the reputation of the college/university nationally and internationally. Finally, in the framework to strengthen the development of the state and the nation, successful alumni can be the social model for unity of the society and a factor for economic growth and development.