VALE (KHLeuven Erasmus Alumni Network) – Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven

 

One of the results of a large involvement in Erasmus exchange programmes is that the Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven has a vast group of Erasmus alumni. But although KHLeuven goes to great lengths to keep in touch with its Belgian alumni, no organised efforts were made to keep in touch with the Erasmus alumni.

In January 2008 it was decided to go for a more structured approach and to start up a more formal Erasmus Alumni Network.

The main aims or goals for setting up this system were to support and maintain connections, encourage personal contacts and to exchange interesting experiences and helpful information (for example on cultural issues, study or career opportunities). It can also be seen as a means to do lifelong networking, for the alumni as well as the former host institution.

After careful consideration, the KHLeuven opted to use Facebook. The concept of the Facebook group was created and put online between March and May 2008. The Erasmus students of KHLeuven from the past two academic years and from the current academic year were invited via e-mail to join the online group VALE. VALE is a Latin word, but is also used in English and means ‘farewell'. In this case, it also stands for V irtual A lumni network for students who have come to L euven University College on an E rasmus exchange.

Although the project was well received by the different stakeholders involved and got many responses at the start, it came to a standstill rather quickly.

The pilot has clearly shown that creating and especially maintaining a virtual alumni network, is quite a challenge and asks for careful consideration and organisation. Also, while Facebook has clear advantages and is a tool that is easily available and accessible for everybody, there are also some disadvantages to be taken into account: for example the value of the information can sometimes be questioned, the functioning heavily depends on the input of users and is therefore quite unpredictable, and sometimes even unsustainable.


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