2,182 alumni, and counting, have volunteered this year; your support helps build and connect our vibrant and diverse community on campus and around the world.
UCD SMURFIT GLP MENTORING PROGRAMME
In January 2024, alumni mentors and student mentees gathered at UCD Smurfit School to officially mark the launch of the UCD Smurfit GLP Mentoring Programme. It is the largest of the four mentoring programmes hosted each year within the College of Business. This year, 245 mentors and 245 student mentees participated.
QUINN BUSINESS MENTORING PROGRAMME
In October 2023, in the Moore Wing of the Quinn School, a launch event marked the commencement of the six-month Quinn Business Mentoring Programme. Over 120 Stage 2 students from across the five courses – BComm, BCIT, Ec&Fi, BBL, and BSc Business – were paired with a business alumni mentor.
CAREER MENTORING PROGRAMME
In November 2023, undergraduate students from the Colleges of Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences & Law, Engineering & Architecture, and Science, gathered in the UCD Village to meet potential alumni mentors. With support and training, 132 active mentoring relationships were formed.
MENTORING PROGRAMMES
This year, a record number of returning and new mentors across myriad programmes were available, which speaks volumes about how valuable they are to all who participate. Our mentoring programmes would not be possible without UCD’s wonderful alumni volunteers, who generously give their time, experience, and expertise to support our students.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
This past year, UCD alumni volunteers have made an incredible contribution on campus with career panels, guest lectures, mentoring events and meet-ups, buddy walks, sharing their experiences, offering testimonials, and more. Across every college/school and unit, alumni volunteers support various established and new programmes, events, and initiatives that have a real and tangible impact on students, staff, fellow alumni, and the local community.
UCD ALUMNI BUDDY PROGRAMME
At the heart of the UCD Alumni Buddy Programme is a dynamic cultural exchange between local alumni and international students. This happens through one-to-one matching, active WhatsApp groups, regular walks, culture nights, and trips around Ireland. Whether Irish or former international students themselves, alumni buddies are people of all ages who empathise with international students’ challenges as they navigate life in Dublin.
NEW BESPOKE OFFERINGS
Two new mentoring initiatives were piloted this year to support the MSc in Equality Studies and MA in Journalism and International Affairs. Nineteen postgraduate students were matched directly in these programmes, each offering a unique window of opportunity for passionate students keen programme.
VOLUNTEER IMPACT STORIES FROM THIS YEAR
Assia is a buddy volunteer, media contributor, career panel speaker and mentor, sharing her experience in many ways. This year, she was matched with Somya from India and Hu Pandi from China, who introduced her to their dear friends Jeremy and Hannah, who were also struggling to settle into life in Ireland. Their friendship blossomed as a group as they tried different cuisines, sharing camaraderie, advice, and support.
Ita first met Tlamelo in 2018 when Tlamelo started her journey as a young medical student dreaming of becoming a doctor. They were matched one-to-one after having a great initial conversation at the Alumni Buddy welcome event. Over several years and countless adventures, they have fostered a truly wonderful friendship. Recently, they met up on the Belfield campus, six years after they first met, as Dr Tlamelo Malima graduated with a degree in medicine. Read more of their story online at www.ucd.ie/alumni/alumni-news.
Gerard was matched with his buddy Abhilasha in 2021. The pair went for walks along the Dodder River, discussing and comparing life in Ireland and India. Abhilasha introduced Ger to her soon-tobe fiancé Kalpit, who was visiting from Holland, and they spent a memorable evening in O’Donoghues, enjoying the music, banter, and Guinness. They kept in touch after she graduated, and when she announced her engagement to Kalpit in early 2023, Ger and his son were invited to their wedding in New Delhi. Ger described the visit as a trip of a lifetime.
GLOBAL ALUMNI VOLUNTEERING
Alumni volunteers actively foster connections around the world. Throughout the year, Chapter Representatives, in 49 locations worldwide, organise events and welcome enthusiastic ambassadors for UCD to meet fellow alumni, students, and off erholders in person to further their understanding of university life in Ireland on both Belfield and Smurfit campuses.