Student Boards Learn to Unlock Alumni and University Fund Potential

UT Student Boards Connect at Annual Alumni & UFund Conference

Last Thursday, October 16, 2025, student board members from various associations, teams, and foundations across the University of Twente (UT) gathered at Boerderij Bosch for the annual Alumni & University Fund Conference for Student Boards. Organized by the Alumni & Development Office, this interactive event is established to foster the exchange of best practices on leveraging the UT community to enhance student initiatives.

The programme featured focused sessions designed to drive practical results. Koen Braham, Chair of the Alumni Association ENIAC, shared insights on how diverse alumni associations effectively connect students and alumni. Following this, Rosanne de Vries underscored the crucial importance of maintaining accurate and clean data for successful outreach. Sjoerd Nies, Chair (2024-2025) of the study association Alembic, then offered practical strategies for organizing successful programme-specific alumni days.

Furthermore, financial development was a key focus. Josine Meerburg, fundraiser for the Twente University Fund, detailed opportunities in crowdfunding and securing financial support, referencing successful examples like the campaign run by the Solar Team Twente. Complementing this, Bas van der Steenhoven (DHC Drienerlo) illustrated how sustained alumni engagement, such as through a hockey tournament, can be more effective for long-term support than direct donation appeals alone. To conclude the informational segment, Joe Laufer, Senior Alumni Officer at the UT, demonstrated strategic methods for using LinkedIn to expand networks and enhance visibility.

The conference concluded with a networking borrel, allowing student leaders to solidify new connections with peers and attending alumni. We thank all speakers and participants for their commitment to building a stronger UT community that effectively bridges the gap between current students and our alumni network.