How can universities build lasting connections with their graduates? Through the European ALMEX project, VU Amsterdam is working with partners in Ukraine, Spain and Poland to help Ukrainian universities strengthen their alumni networks and involve graduates more closely in university life.
ALMEX (Alumni Management Excellence: Building University Capacity for Sustainable Graduate Engagement) supports Ukrainian universities in developing long-term alumni relations. Combining strategic approaches, digital tools and knowledge exchange, the project aims to give graduates a stronger role in education, university governance and career development, while supporting the long-term development of their universities.
Sharing expertise at VU Amsterdam
As an international project partner, VU Amsterdam contributes expertise in alumni relations, institutional management and international cooperation. It shares European practices in alumni engagement, digital management and data protection, helping Ukrainian partners adapt these approaches to their own institutions.
In March 2026, VU Amsterdam hosted an international study visit for project partners. The visit provided an opportunity to exchange approaches to alumni engagement, fundraising, customer relationship management (CRM) systems and cooperation between institutions.
Building lasting connections with graduates
ALMEX focuses on strengthening alumni strategies, management practices and governance, alongside developing digital tools and systems for managing alumni relationships. It also aims to expand graduates’ involvement in mentoring, career development and cooperation between universities and businesses.
Through professional alumni networks and international knowledge exchange, the partners aim to strengthen universities’ capacity to maintain these relationships over time. Closer cooperation between universities, graduates and employers is intended to contribute to the long-term development and resilience of Ukrainian higher education.
Partners
- Coordinator: Higher educational establishment Ukrainian Catholic University, Ukraine
- Stichting VU (VU Amsterdam), The Netherlands
- Universidad de Alicante, Spain
- Szkoła Główna Handlowa w Warszawie, Poland
- Sumy State University, Ukraine
- National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance, Ukraine
- Zaporizhzhia National University, Ukraine
- National University of Water and Environmental Engineering, Ukraine
