Stronger together

Celebrating the teamwork at the heart of UCL’s global alumni network.

As the Covid-19 pandemic forced many of us apart in a physical sense, it’s clear that working together has never been more important. Now the world is starting to adapt, the UCL alumni community is a perfect example of how teamwork can support an international network with one shared vision. 

Thousands of graduates benefit from long-term links to the university through the alumni network. And UCL has clubs and groups across the world that help graduates when they return home – allowing them to forge local, national and international connections. 

The Alumni Relations team supports the passionate volunteers who make it all happen, offering resources and one-to-one advice. 

In this time of separation, some of the network’s biggest success stories are those where individual groups and clubs have gone above and beyond to bring alumni together – even if it's in the digital space. By building on the guidance from the Alumni Relations team, they’ve created safe spaces where UCL alumni can continue to thrive.

Collaborating for community: Guangzhou and Beijing 

UCL Guangzhou Alumni Club in China is one of the university’s newest groups. The team collaborates in a transparent way to create a warm and welcoming environment. 

Darwin Sheng, President of the Guangzhou club, aims to keep the UCL spirit alive in all the region’s alumni. He says: “The group means a lot for the community – we reconnect people.

“What makes me most proud is being able to make a difference to the UCL alumni community in China. It is an honour.”

The club hosted a Christmas Party as their first event, with over 60 attendees. “It was in a cosy British-style pub and tickets sold out,” says Darwin. “Most of our attendees were fresh graduates who had a great time while making useful contacts.”

The Guangzhou club takes inspiration from the well-established UCL Club of Beijing. Founded in 2005, Beijing is UCL’s oldest alumni club in Mainland China. It holds five events each year in different formats to keep things fresh. Hiu Ng of the Beijing Club says: “The club was established with a focus on maintaining inclusiveness for all UCL alumni. UCL is known for its tolerance, meritocratic and open ethos, and as alumni clubs we should uphold those ideals.” 

From setting up with a professionally managed operational structure to having a clear charter for roles and duties, and accepting all volunteers who want to get involved, the club stands as a platform for everyone. 

“If you’re looking to set up in a new geographical area, holding a variety of activities is an effective way to form a dynamic community network,” says Katie Zhang of the Beijing Club. “Regular get-togethers can strengthen the ability of the committee while attracting new volunteers, creating friendships and helping to build the alumni club’s brand.”

For Guangzhou’s Darwin, setting up a new alumni group has been both challenging but encouraging. Following in the footsteps of Beijing, the Guangzhou club is set to grow, with more events planned such as a Global Leadership Series which will take place this summer.

Getting virtual: Delhi

The UCL Delhi Alumni Club has embraced the change caused by the pandemic and moved its entire provision online. 

Himani Gupta is its president and she’s inspired by the power of community. “In these exceptional times, feeling isolated has become almost normal, so it’s very important to connect with support groups from various areas of one’s life,” she says. “An alumni community is one such group that can help us feel more connected to a wider set of like-minded people.”

The group was formally established in spring 2019 with support from the UCL Alumni Relations Team. “The team was instrumental in helping us form this group,” says Himani. “They have supported us with communications, tech, ideas and execution, making the whole process very smooth.”

The vision for the group is to build a culture of giving back with purposeful programming and collaboration.

‘Chai Connect’ was the group’s first virtual speed networking event, with 156 registrants from across India. Along with graduates, Himani also extended the invitation to current students who had chosen to stay in India and study remotely. She says: “Current students haven’t had the chance to be physically present on campus, so events like this help them to feel included in the wider UCL community.”

Supporting each other: California 

UCL alumni groups from Los Angeles (LA) and San Francisco Bay (SFB) have been working independently as volunteer-led clubs for the last five years. But proving that there’s strength in collaboration, they have come together to provide an engaging online offering for the many alumni across Northern and Southern California.

Kristina Schlegel, President of the SFB group, says: “We had so much fun together right from the start! Initially, the idea was for the LA team to share tips for reviving the Bay Area chapter. The more we talked, the more we realised the potential benefit of transcending this particular geographical definition.”

Ani Garibyan, President of the LA group, says: “Our network is diverse, and that is incredibly valuable. Diversity in our personal and professional backgrounds actually creates a beautiful cohesiveness within the groups.” 

Recently, the groups have held a virtual UCL Great British Quiz Off. They also came together to support the UCL New York Alumni Club, who hosted a distinguished virtual UCL Connect USA panel event on ‘Biden, Brexit and The Special Relationship’. 

For groups looking to team up, Kristina recommends building strong personal relationships. “Don’t be afraid to utilise all possible communication channels,” she says. “This community has immense potential to amplify your impact locally and globally.” 

If you need help finding new connections, the UCL Alumni Relations team is here to support you and put you in touch with other like-minded volunteers. 

Dedication to the cause: Cyprus

With high profile speakers and lively discussions, the Cyprus Alumni Club hosts events that attract thousands of graduates – a recent online debate, ‘The Consequences of Covid-19 on the Economy of Cyprus’, logged an impressive 2,800 views. 

The group’s success is down to a strategic approach from their dedicated volunteers, creating an engaging and intellectually stimulating programme. 

Founding member Jeannine Kyprianou says: “We are alumni of London’s Global University! Our members share and promote the core values and visions of UCL. They are industry leaders within widespread professions and many are active members in our society, be it in politics, charity work or human rights.”

She adds: “By making sure our members remain connected, we create a ‘brand affinity’ and credibility which will ensure viability of the club.” 

The team is now keen to build international relationships with other groups in the Mediterranean region and beyond. 

Looking to find alumni near you? 

If you want to connect with other alumni in your region, we can help you find groups and clubs near you. Visit our alumni groups page to find out more.