“Adekunle Ajasin University Remains Underrated” sounded factual because I needed things to be done effectually. Luckily for me, I graduated from this same institution; and I have no regret about it-only that I needed it to be better than I left it.
My focus here will be on the Alumni
platform of this University. To be candid, I don’t know why I find it difficult
to agree that it is in existence-with due respect to all quarters. For
instance, when I was mobilized for my NYSC, myself and whole lot of friends
actually needed the services of a responsive platform that could give senior advice to its new members in all creative means thereby leveraging the medium
to advertise the platform, its mission, vision, structure, operations, and on-going
projects. But to my greatest amazement, we were only compelled to pay a sum of one
thousand naira into a bank account of this ‘anonymous’ platform-am sure this
conduct still holds till now! In fact, as at that time, there was neither a functional
website nor any conventional means of publicity for the said forum. I beg to be
corrected; this same platform has not made the headlines from observations
since 2011!
You will agree with me that before we
start commanding proper positioning and encomium in the larger society, we need
to first and foremost mend our lapses. Until our alumni forum begins to see
itself as useless without the active participation of interested members
through innovative campaigns, we will continue in this current state of
mockery. In this post, I shall be sharing my opinion with you on the best
practices to run a successful alumni platform through social media engagements.
Here are my 6 ways alumni are engaging
members using social media as tool.
1. Helping Members Find Jobs
Oh my God! This sounds funny but it’s
true. Let us view it this way; our alumni forum needs to affiliate itself with outfits
that have the capacity to absorb its members productively. Irrespective of the
fact that some alumni platforms operate their own websites, others could
leverage LinkedIn as an operational tool for providing career resources. In
many cases, the officials of the forum create the virtual group and allow the free-flow
of networking to take place; with members sharing job openings as well as
creating subgroups of specific interest areas.
2. Collaboration and Connecting With Departmental
Executives
Alumni officials now devise the social
media to smoothen the changeover from being an undergraduate to becoming an
active member of the alumni upon graduation through the creation of links. They
could even be permitted to join the alumni e-Platforms before graduation so they
can network with senior associates. For instance, members of the alumni
officiating body need to collaborate with departmental executives to allow
regular updates on their official social media platforms for sake of awareness.
This will help to properly sensitize and monitor the transition of their
graduating students to the alumni arm virtually.
3. Fundraising: From E-mails to Tweets
‘Money’ is a topical issue, which I know!
Being the president of the largest faculty in my time taught me never to
underestimate the role of money if lofty dreams are to be achieved and
delivered as promised in the manifesto. Raising funds shouldn’t be a nightmare
if members are well managed without any leakage. One-thing I know is that,
everyone wants to associate with workable and impactful projects. Looking in
the direction of social medium like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn etc. could
be the saving grace to sensitize, mobilize or campaign for intentions.
4. Training, Seminars, Conferences, and
Webinars
The internet has so much made life easy
for anyone to start giving flimsy excuses to have failed in the area of touch.
If conducting any of these activities will be cost implicative, alumni
officials could leverage the e-mail and social media platforms; by sending
training, seminar or conference manuals as to enrolled members and upload
training courses through YouTube!
5. Members-Generated Content
Another great way to engage members is to
give them the privilege for guest post and advertisement at no hustle but upon
request. All this will require form the admin is just moderation. With this,
members will feel dignified with a sense of belonging.
6. e-Calendar and Programs
Let it be known everywhere! Members can
be found on the social media platforms. Also do e-mail follow-ups. The PRO has
a serious work to do in this regard!
Oops! I think I have made my mark here. I
however anticipate and welcome your comments. Please share this post till it
gets to the top. You may like to read this! Thanks!
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