[dropcap]T[/dropcap]en clubs and societies have applied for additional funding under a new initiative organised by the DCU Alumni Office.
The initiative invited clubs and societies to engage with past graduates through events in the second semester. €200-500 was up for grabs for each of the successful clubs and societies.
Engineering Soc, Snowsport Soc, Mental Health Soc and MMA were among the ten that applied for the additional funding. Ross Munnelly, the Director of Alumni Relations in DCU said the aim of the programme was to provide and enhance the engagement opportunities for graduates and DCU.
“DCU has approximately 80,000 graduates, who are the only permanent university community, so once you graduate you are part of our alumni community for life… we have a certain amount of budget, that we are making available to clubs and societies… who can use that funding for events and initiatives where they’ll invite DCU graduates to re-engage with the university.”
Some clubs and societies are tying the programme into events they have already organised like DCU Mens Rugby who ran an event with ten past alumni around their All Ireland quarter final match.
Sorcha Murphy, the Chairperson of Mental Health Soc has said that they have also planned to engage with past graduates: “Our largest event of the year is a fundraiser concert in Whelan’s called Craicin’ Up. We have a former committee member performing on the night and the event is open for the first time ever to DCU alumni.”
Along with the initiative the DCU alumni office has also organised two brand new awards centered on clubs and societies who engage with graduates. One for the best event that engages with alumni and one for the best alumni participating in clubs and society events.
The Alumni Office is also looking for students to join the alumni council which aims to work with DCU to provide a better platform to engage with graduates. “We’re very keen to make an impact with our students, when students graduate it’s not the end of the road it’s the start of a lifelong relationship with DCU,” Munnelly concluded.
Callum Lavery
Image Credit: DCU