On 13-22 May, Ms Jeanine Chen, Manager of NUS Business School’s Global Alumni Network Office took part in the Administrative Staff Exchange Program (ASEP) held in the United States. The visit to four universities on the East Coast provided GANO an opportunity to learn about the various practices and relationships amongst the business schools, universities, alumni associations, and student bodies.

The program included discussions and alumni-centric events at New York University (NYU), Columbia University (CU), Baruch College City University of New York and University of Pennsylvania (U Penn).

Hosted by the directors of alumni-relations in the respective schools, Ms Chen was brought through on-site tours of the campuses. She also attended conferences and meetings where she learnt about the development of the alumni programs.

Ms Chen had the unique opportunity to be involved in The Wharton School’s ‘Wharton Reunion Weekend’ which was a three-day affair coinciding with U Penn Alumni Weekend and Commencement.

The event was an occasion for alumni to reconnect with their peers from the School, and catch up on the latest developments of Wharton. Talks by members of the faculty, executive education workshops and a combination of other programs were conducted in addition to the numerous networking sessions held.

The concept of this event was similar to the NUS MBA Alumni “Back to School” Seminars where alumni were also invited to attend different talks held during the event.

NYU Stern School of Business Senior Director of Alumni & Corporate Relations, Ms Elena Piercy, also shared her experience in organizing the school’s annual Global Alumni Business Conference that was held in New York.

The conference served as an opportunity to invite their distinguished alumni to contribute and share their ideas. This is similar to the breakfast talks already being organized by NUSBSA to engage the alumni in lifelong learning.

Ms Chen said: “The ASEP experience was definitely useful. Personally, I have been enriched by what I’ve seen and heard. Having the opportunity to learn from top business schools like Stern, Columbia and Wharton have been excellent. Being able to share alumni engagement issues with Baruch College was equally important and useful.”

Using key points picked up from these universities, GANO will look to strengthen its support to the alumni in various ways. The trip served to emphasize the importance of the role that alumni play in the development of the varsity towards its goals and showed new ways in which the Business School and alumni can co-operate.