Head of the Department of Information Technologies Anna NENIA Participated in a Study Visit to the University of Alicante within the ALMEX Project

From 11 to 15 May 2026, the second study visit within the framework of the international ALMEX project took place at the University of Alicante (Spain). Over the course of five days, representatives of partner universities exchanged experience, explored European practices of alumni engagement, and discussed strategic approaches to the development of university communities.

Sumy State University was represented at the study visit by a delegation consisting of:
Anna NENIA – Head of the Department of Information Technologies, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor;
Alla KRASULIA – Head of the International Cooperation Office, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences;
Alona YEVDOKYMOVA – Head of the Educational Department for Internships and Integration with Employers, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Oleg Balatskyi Department of Management; and
Iryna SLABKO – Head of the General Organizational Support and International Protocol Group of the International Cooperation Office.

Representatives of Ukrainian Catholic University, Zaporizhzhia National University, National University of Water and Environmental Engineering, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, and the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance also participated in the visit. This international cooperation created an open space for discussing alumni engagement as an important component of university development and strengthening partnership networks.

The programme of the visit covered key aspects of alumni community development, including alumni management and communication, employability support, digital engagement tools, fundraising, inclusion, and lifelong learning.

The official opening of the event took place with the participation of Antonio Fuster, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economics; Carolina Madlen, Director of OGPI; and Ester Gallego, Director of the Employment and Social Inclusion Unit.

During the thematic sessions, participants gained in-depth insights into the University of Alicante’s experience in developing an active alumni community. Special attention was devoted to career development and employability. Representatives of the University of Alicante and its partner organizations presented approaches to integrating career counselling, labour market analysis, and support for entrepreneurial initiatives within a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy. Practical examples of cooperation with employers demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach in creating professional opportunities for students and graduates.

A separate thematic block of the programme focused on inclusion and the international dimension of alumni engagement. Discussions centred on supporting Ukrainian students and graduates abroad, maintaining connections with alumni communities amid contemporary societal challenges, and identifying effective formats for international cooperation. During discussions of the W-RISE project and a thematic round table, participants exchanged experiences in working with displaced students and graduates and examined practical cases of supporting university communities. Representatives of FUNDEUN, the Amigos de Ucrania initiative, and participants of the W-RISE pilot phase made a valuable contribution to the discussion by sharing examples of international solidarity, partnership cooperation, and support for the Ukrainian academic community.

The use of digital platforms and CRM systems, audience segmentation, the development of communication strategies, and fostering a culture of philanthropy among graduates were highlighted as essential components of long-term university engagement with its community.

In addition to the working sessions, the programme included campus tours, networking meetings, and cultural activities that facilitated informal communication and strengthened cooperation among partners.

The participation of the Head of the Department of Information Technologies in the SSU delegation during the second study visit within the ALMEX project provided a valuable opportunity for professional exchange, familiarization with modern European practices of alumni network development, and the generation of new ideas for further enhancing engagement with the department’s graduates, expanding international partnerships, and supporting the processes of internationalization and sustainable development of the university.

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