IUM networks with alumni – The Namibian

The International University of Management (IUM) on Thursday hosted an Alumni Association networking session under the theme ‘Alumni Innovators Shaping Tomorrow’s World’.

The event is a collaboration between the IUM’s alumni relations office and the IUM Graduate School of Business.

Present at the event was the university’s director of alumni relations, Frieda Shimbuli, who said it is important to build a strong IUM Alumni Association.

“The foundation must be stable, strong and firm, and such an office must have a good character to make things happen. Namibia needs innovators to shape tomorrow’s world,” she said.

Shimbuli said the alumni office has been interacting with its alumni online.

“These interactions cultivate strong bonds and relationships with students who graduated from IUM. The online interactions bring alumni closer to their alma mater,” she said.

Shimbuli said alumni networking provides valuable resources for job opportunities and career advancement and advice.

“Alumni networking is a great place to look for a job. If an alumnus is already employed, networking could still be beneficial. It paves the way to meet other professionals in your field to expand your networking horizon,” she said.

The vice chancellor of the university, Osmund Mwandemele, said: “This event also provides an opportunity for the IUM to inform its alumni that we care, and that we are indeed very proud of them. Therefore there is a need to strengthen our bonds through the Alumni Association,” he said.

Mwandemele said the university has grown significantly in terms of the student population of over 16 000, as well as the staff complement, and it continues to expand.

“That is not why the IUM seeks the support and active participation of its alumni, but the university would appreciate any generous monetary and material donations from its alumni.

“There are many other ways in which alumni could actively participate in the development and growth of the institution, such as volunteering to provide guest lectures when the need arises,” he said.