- Since 2013, UAlumni has brought together the community of UVic-UCC graduates, fostering links with the institution, creating a network, and connecting the academic and professional fields
- This community offers various services, discounts and advantages to its over 7,500 members, who are graduates of bachelor’s degrees, postgraduate courses, higher education courses, master’s degrees and doctoral studies at the UVic-UCC
- This academic year, UAlumni has celebrated its tenth anniversary with an event focused on the community and the connection with the territory
On completion of their university studies, many students are faced with the uncertainty of entering the world of work. Leaving behind the academic environment and the educational connections formed over the years can seem like a hard milestone to reach. In many cases, it is difficult to identify the best ways to progress in a professional career. The transition from the university environment to a competitive, constantly evolving labour market tends to cause uncertainty in many young people.
A decade of networking
In 2013, with the aim of proposing possible solutions and help with this dilemma, UVic Alumni emerged as an independent association that was closely linked to the then University of Vic. The aim of UVic Alumni was to establish a network between former students and the institution through multidisciplinary connections and with a professional vocation. Abel Conill, who was its first president, explained that the association’s initial projects were intended to “create a network and promote entrepreneurship and employment to foster cross-disciplinarity and internationalization.” This is the case of the Ambassadors project and other initiatives such as employment opportunities and the promotion of lifelong learning through discounts.
Although the two entities worked together from the outset, it was not until 2017 that the association became a community within the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC) and adopted its current name, UAlumni. This community has evolved to become what it is now: an umbrella of graduates of bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral studies and vocational training courses from all UVic-UCC campuses and federated or attached centres. Likewise, it has expanded its initial programmes.
In the last decade, UAlumni has become a service that has over 7,500 registered members, who have passed through the classrooms of UVic-UCC. With the main objective of offering services and tools to enhance professional careers, employability and entrepreneurship through initiatives such as discounts on continuing education or language courses, and access to university services, UAlumni has grown to drive new initiatives. Associated alumni have access to Job Opportunities, personalized careers guidance, alumni meetings and course discounts, aimed at students who want to continue to progress. This set of resources provides comprehensive support to members of the UAlumni community in their personal and professional growth, and keeps them connected to the institution.
This community has evolved to become what it is now: an umbrella of graduates of bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral studies and vocational training courses from all UVic-UCC campuses and federated or attached centres
A community at the service of (former) students
UAlumni has proven to have a firm base and has become a recognized meeting point for former students. Its objective is to continue to grow to bring the initiative to future graduates, offering them cross-cutting services so they can stay up to date with the professional situation in their field. Ultimately, UAlumni aims to consolidate its position as a point of reference for local companies when they recruit talent. In all its activities, UAlumni works to strengthen ties between companies and graduates, to make known former students and their pathways through UAlumni Stories, and to adapt to new contexts and needs that arise. At the same time, it remains faithful to the essence of this initiative: to be a useful agent, form networks and contribute to the growth of UVic-UCC through various experiences. To achieve this, the following initiatives are notable:
The Ambassador programme consists of former student volunteers who live abroad and offer themselves as a direct contact for other graduates who visit their country of residence.
This project is designed to communicate the career paths and experiences of UAlumni members who have excelled in their professional field. In an interview, they explain their professional career and outstanding projects they have worked on, and talk about their time at the University.
In addition to employment opportunities, other services have been added, such as the UVic Talent programme, which offers a job search service for candidates, and a careers guidance service with personalized assistance.
Periodically, courses and training sessions are offered for new graduates or former students looking for work. In these training sessions, guidelines are provided on updating curriculum vitae, and ideas and advice are given on job interview techniques, among other guidance.
Alumni are eligible for discounts on master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, continuing education, language school courses and other commercial discounts, as well as grants for continuing education and professional training.
Testimonials
UAlumni has many members. Below are some of their stories:
Antoni Reig: “UVic is an important part of my identity”
Antoni Reig graduated from UVic with a degree in Management Information Systems in 1995, an Executive MBA (EMBA) in 2017 and postgraduate studies in Digital Marketing, Web and Electronic Commerce in 2022. Currently, he works as Director of Marketing and Communication at PROQUIMIA, SA. Reig is a member of the Board and has contributed to UAlumni Stories by describing his academic and professional career.
“I am a person who likes to participate and I decided to get involved in UAlumni when it was suggested to me, as I have a strong bond with the University. The place where you study gives prestige to your degree and I want to have the opportunity to collaborate with the institution and contribute to its growth, not only as a former student, but also through my professional experience. I value my experience at UAlumni positively. It has allowed me to maintain the link with UVic, which is an important part of my identity. UVic has grown a lot, and this is reflected in its excellence and the fact that it is a leading and prestigious university.”
Laura Escudero: “I always recommend leaving the comfort zone”
Laura Escudero studied for a degree in Biotechnology and later went to Cardiff University to do her doctoral degree. She currently lives in Canada, where she works as a postdoctoral researcher. During her stay in Cardiff, UAlumni asked her to be an ambassador.
“I really liked the Ambassadors programme that UAlumni was creating, as it enabled me to help students who wanted to go and live or study abroad. When I finished my degree, leaving to study abroad made me feel a mixture of emotions: I was very excited, but at the same time, nervous about the unknown. I decided to participate in the programme so that I could help other students who needed assistance. They were very good experiences, which helped me grow personally and professionally. That’s why I always tell students that they should leave their comfort zone and spend a period abroad.”
Carme Bravo: «És una manera d’aportar un granet de sorra i detectar necessitats que permetin ampliar coneixements»
Carme Bravo studied to become a teacher and graduated in the first cohort of graduates from the School of Teachers in Vic. Bravo was a teacher for many years at the Escola Mare de Déu del Sòl del Pont school, where she was also head for seventeen years. Currently, she works as a coordinator of Continuing Education for Teachers at the Territorial Services in Central Catalonia. Carme Bavo has been part of the UAlumni Board since the beginning.
“When I was asked to participate, I thought it was a good idea, as it was a way of staying connected to the University and my colleagues from the first cohort of graduates had already considered the possibility of forming an alumni association. Being part of UAlumni helps me to be informed about activities, to be able to take part in them and to stay up to date with publications, conferences and other events. As alumni, you can come up with proposals for students who will be future teachers, and it is a way of contributing a grain of sand and identifying needs that allow the expansion of knowledge.”
A meeting of former students in the Paranimf to celebrate the tenth anniversary
“UAlumni fosters a link between former students, who are the best ambassadors of this university around the world, and the University”
Economist Xavier Sala i Martín, professor at the University of Columbia (United States) was the guest at the event celebrating the tenth anniversary of UAlumni, which took place in the UVic-UCC Paranimf. Sala i Martín spoke about artificial intelligence and the current state of technology. He stated: “We don't have artificial intelligence but statistical prediction models.”
The event also served as a meeting point for almost 200 people, mostly UVic-UCC alumni and members of the university community. The rector, Josep Eladi Baños, was in charge of closing the commemoration event, in which he remarked that “UAlumni fosters a link between former students, who are the best ambassadors of this university around the world, and the University.”
