Sheffield’s global alumni network flourishes
This year marked an exceptional period for the University’s international outreach, with Sheffield alumni gathering for a record number of events across the globe. This expanded global footprint has fostered stronger connections with the University’s international alumni community and significantly bolstered recruitment efforts.
Fostering friendships in the East
China was a particular highlight, with over 600 alumni attending three large receptions in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Alumni were thrilled to meet President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Koen Lamberts, and International Director Dr Malcolm Butler as they unveiled the Forged in Sheffield campaign. These events were a resounding success, sparking excitement for future events.
In addition, the Hong Kong Alumni Association hosted five events this year, including a Forged in Sheffield campaign launch and a number of social events, strengthening connections among our alumni in this important city.
Alumni make their mark
Our alumni also played a crucial role in supporting a number of offer holder conversion events to support international recruitment. Alumni panellists provided invaluable insights at 12 in-person events across Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan), India (Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Bangalore), and China (Shanghai, Chengdu, Beijing, Guangzhou). These events, along with four virtual alumni panel events, showcased the strength of the global Sheffield community.
Forged in Sheffield campaign launch events in Mumbai and Singapore, a group launch in Indonesia (already boasting over 130 members), and social gatherings in Australia and Ghana rounded out a truly global year.
Engaging alumni across the pond
University staff travelled to the United States to host two Forged in Sheffield, Shaping the Future campaign launch events in New York and San Francisco. At the New York event, alumnus and Nobel Laureate Sir Richard Roberts spoke about his distinguished career in biochemistry and molecular biology, and his humanitarian work enabled by his Nobel Prize.
In San Francisco, alumna Dr Emily Rickman discussed her work as an astronomer with the European Space Agency based at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, where her achievements include developing new techniques to broaden our understanding of exoplanets and brown dwarfs. Alumni also gathered for friendly social events in New York, Santa Monica, Seattle, Washington D.C. and Toronto.
