UGM received a visit from MITSA (UiTM Sarawak Alumni Association) on Thursday (10/11). The group of 30 people was consisted of administrators, educators, and alumni from Sarawak Malaysia branch of Universiti Teknologi MARA. They went to UGM to strengthen relationship and to do comparative study on UGM alumni management program.
“Our presence here is to strengthen the relationship between the two Indonesia-Malaysia universities as well as a media for us to learn more about the connection between a university and its alumni; and the programs managed by UGM,” said Yussri bin Sawani representing the group.
Similar things were delivered by Dr. Soelistyowati, Head of Alumni Relations Sub-directorate UGM, who appreciated and warmly welcomed the group from MITSA. Other than forming bond between the universities, this event acts as means to exchange ideas and lesson learned from each university. “We really appreciate the visit from MITSA comrades here, we should take advantage from this moment as much as we can as an effort of mutual learning between the two universities,” said Dr. Soelistyawati in her welcome speech at UGM Central Building Board of Professor Room.
In the discussion session, Dr. Soelistyowati gave an extensive explanation about alumni-university relation management in UGM. According to her, a university must be able to embrace the alumni so that they have a sense of belonging to the alma mater and are able to give contribution again. Also explained were UGM featured programs such as ‘Sahabat UGM’ and Tracer Study.
“UGM realized the importance to embrace the alumni for the university, in some events we always involve our alumni, such as prospective graduates debriefing, we present successful alumni to inspire and motivate them,” she explained.
For the explanation given by Dr. Soelistyawati, Yusri agreed and was impressed by what UGM has done. He said UGM has managed great and structured programs. The explanation was seen inspiring as to be applied in their place. “All that was conveyed was very good and inspiring because looking forward, UiTM will also build a new and better system,” he said. [Eggy]