Universität Heidelberg Intensifies Contacts with Graduates and Alumni

Heidelberg University maintains an active global network of 6,300 former students, graduates and associates – through Heidelberg Alumni International (HAI). To step up its activities for former Heidelberg students from Germany and abroad, the university rectorate has established a separate staff unit. Together with its close partner, the Society of Friends of Heidelberg University, the staff unit has moved into new office space in the Old Town. Heidelberg Volksbank is lending its support to renovate and equip the new accommodations with a donation of 20,000 euros. Heidelberg University cordially invites all those interested to the official opening of the new offices on Monday, 13 September 2010.

“The restructuring is an important step for the cooperation with alumni in terms of both strategy and substance. It documents the esteem in which Heidelberg University holds its former students and the special significance of its work with the alumni,” explains Silke Rodenberg, director of the new staff unit. Bernard Schreier, chairman of the Society of Friends, adds: “The addition of personnel and creation of new office space to support and strengthen alumni activities gives an enormous boost to our years of work in the service of Heidelberg University.” In addition to Heidelberg Volksbank eG, the Heidelberg University Foundation is also helping fund the new office.

Until now, the Heidelberg Alumni International network, founded in 1996, worked primarily with former students from abroad. Within Germany itself, many alumni are members of the “Society of Friends”. With its expanded mission, the staff unit intends to merge the activities of the two organisations, expand the Heidelberg alumni network and tie in existing alumni associations. This includes new and extended initiatives at the faculty and department levels. The new office space is located in the former Institute for Political Science at Marstallstraße 6.

Note to editorial staff
Heidelberg Alumni International will hold a press conference on Monday, 13 September 2010 at noon in the new office. Foundation board members Jürgen Neidinger, member of the executive board of the Heidelberg Volksbank, and Dieter Horstmann, acting chairman of the supervisory board, will present the donation check to university rector Prof. Dr. Bernhard Eitel. The official opening will follow at 12:30 and associates, alumni, friends of Heidelberg University, and any other interested parties are welcome to attend.

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