Volunteering roles

Being a member of an Alumni Community/Circle Committee

Becoming a member of an Alumni Circle or Community Committee at Maastricht University provides a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with fellow graduates while contributing to the growth of the alumni network.

Alumni Circles

Alumni Circles are networks around the globe formed by UM graduates who gather to foster connections and share experiences. They provide opportunities for alumni to connect with fellow graduates living in the same area. Each circle is led by a committee of dedicated alumni who organise events, from informal gatherings to professional workshops, tailored to the interests of their members. These circles not only help alumni maintain ties with each other but also promote networking and collaboration in various regions around the world.

Alumni Communities

Alumni Communities focus on specific subjects, studies or faculties. These communities are self-sufficient and responsible for organising their own activities, including meetings, lectures, and workshops. Committee members work closely with alumni, students, and university staff to ensure that the community remains vibrant and informed about developments at UM and in relevant industries.

Get Involved

Whether you’re interested in connecting with nearby alumni through an Alumni Circle or contributing to a specific subject within an Alumni Community, your involvement can make a meaningful impact. If you want to join a committee or explore the possibility of starting a new Alumni Community, please reach out to us at alumni@maastrichtuniversity.nl. Together, we can strengthen the bonds within our global alumni network.

Being part of an Advisory Board

Advisory boards support faculties in terms of strategic direction, quality improvement and assessment of the programs. It exists of faculty board members, students, alumni (in the work field) and international and or national university members. The members of the Advisory Boards can also act as ambassadors for the faculty or university and help create collaborations with strategic companies, research institutions and partnerships.

Coaching at a Coach Café

Are you a Maastricht University alumnus eager to support soon-to-be graduates and recent graduates in launching their careers? Then becoming a coach at Coach Café is the perfect opportunity for you!

What is Coach Café?

Coach Café is a dynamic coaching program held twice a year, in spring and autumn, designed specifically for alumni who want to give back by guiding the next generation of students and graduates. Organised by UM Career Services and the UM Alumni Office, Coach Café takes place on a Tuesday evening at a location in Maastricht. It’s an engaging platform where you can share your experiences, offer valuable insights, and help shape the career paths of emerging professionals. Through casual yet impactful coaching sessions, you’ll inspire and empower mentees to reach their full potential. Watch the video for a clearer view and an impression of the event's atmosphere.

What to expect as a coach?

As a coach at Coach Café, you’ll play a vital role in the professional and personal development of your mentees. Your key responsibilities include:

• Guiding career growth: Leverage your expertise to help mentees navigate their career choices, set achievable goals, and overcome challenges.
• Offering personalised advice: Provide tailored advice based on your experiences and the unique needs of each mentee.
• Building confidence: Support mentees by offering constructive feedback and encouragement, helping them build the confidence they need to succeed.
• Networking opportunities: Facilitate valuable industry connections and introduce mentees to networking opportunities.
• Fostering a supportive environment: Create a welcoming space where mentees feel comfortable discussing their aspirations and concerns.

Why become a coach?

By becoming a coach at Coach Café, you’ll have the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of emerging professionals while enhancing your own leadership and coaching skills. Whether you’re experienced in mentoring or new to the role, this is your opportunity to give back, build lasting connections, and contribute to the success of future leaders. Discover the stories of current coaches to learn more about the value of coaching at UM Coach Café.

Sign up to coach

Ready to make a difference? Joining Coach Café as a coach is simple. Whether you have extensive coaching experience or are new to mentoring, we welcome alumni from all fields and backgrounds. Your unique insights and experiences are invaluable to those just starting their career journeys.

Sign up to be a coach by filling out this form. 

You can also send an email to alumni@maastrichtuniversity.nl or update the 'Stay Involved' form. Once you’ve signed up, we will reach out to you for an intake interview to ensure you’re the right fit for the role. If selected, you will receive a short training session to prepare you as a coach before the event takes place. 

Join us at Coach Café and start your coaching journey today!

Cooperating in a PREMIUM project

PREMIUM is Maastricht University’s Honours programme for high-performing, motivated master’s students. Interdisciplinary teams of students work on a project from a client from the (local) business or the government sector under the guidance of a project mentor.

Why become a PREMIUM client?

As a client, you can propose a project and work with a motivated team of students. Projects should be innovative, interdisciplinary, and give students the space to develop creative solutions. Clients can take on a formal role, providing guidance and feedback, or act as co-creators, becoming more actively involved in brainstorming and project execution.

There is no cost for clients to participate, though travel expenses for students may need to be covered. Intellectual property remains with the client, and confidentiality agreements (NDAs) can be arranged if needed.

Coordinated by EDLAB

PREMIUM is coordinated by EDLAB, Maastricht University’s institute for educational innovation. Previous clients from sectors such as business, healthcare, and non-profits have praised PREMIUM for the fresh perspectives and valuable contributions made by students. By offering a PREMIUM project, alumni not only help students in their professional development but also benefit from innovative ideas that advance their own organisational goals.

For more information and to sign up as a client, please visit EDLAB's PREMIUM client information page.

Donating to the University Fund

Are you interested in specific research or are you looking to invest in the international character of the university? As a donor of the University Fund Limburg, you help the university to remain a successful scientific institute. With your contribution, small or large, we help talented students to realize their ambitions, create special facilities for education and research and contribute to the preservation of academic heritage in Maastricht.

At Maastricht University, the foundation was laid for my current career. It’s great to see that our alma mater actively contributes to important societal issues. As an engaged former student, I am happy to support these ambitions. alumnus (2005)  

Donor Davy Pieters | UM

Helping at a UM event

As an alum of Maastricht University, you have the unique opportunity to give back by volunteering at various university events, such as open days, fairs, or career events. Your participation can make a significant impact by sharing your experiences, insights, and knowledge with prospective students and fellow alumni.

Volunteering at these events not only helps create a welcoming environment for attendees but also strengthens the UM community. Whether you assist with organising activities, engaging with visitors, or providing guidance to students, your support is invaluable.

Helping with accreditation

During the accreditation process of academic programmes, commissions frequently seek input from alumni to gain valuable insights into their experiences. Alumni play a crucial role by providing feedback on curriculum, teaching methods, and the overall quality of their education.

Their perspectives help accreditation bodies assess how well programmes prepare students for their careers and identify areas for improvement. Alumni can highlight aspects that may need enhancement and suggest new opportunities that could enrich the programme’s offerings.

By participating in this process, alumni not only contribute to the continuous improvement of their alma mater but also ensure that future students receive a high-quality education tailored to meet industry demands. This involvement reinforces the strong connection between the university and its alumni, fostering a collaborative environment dedicated to excellence in education.

Mentoring a student

As an alumnus of Maastricht University, you have the chance to make a meaningful difference in a student’s life by becoming a mentor. This role allows you to share your professional journey, provide insights into your industry, and offer guidance as students explore their academic and career options.

Mentoring is a mutually rewarding experience. While you help students navigate challenges and build their confidence, you’ll also gain fresh perspectives and reconnect with the university community. Whether through one-on-one meetings, networking opportunities, or offering practical advice, your involvement can inspire and empower students to reach their full potential.

Providing a lecture or a workshop

Maastricht University values the input of its alumni in strengthening the connection between academic learning and professional practice. Alumni have the opportunity to make a significant impact by offering lectures and workshops based on their areas of expertise.

Lectures or workshops for students

By sharing insights from their professional journeys, alumni can enrich the educational experience for current students. Their lectures can address industry trends, challenges, and innovations, providing valuable real-world context that complements academic theories.

Additionally, alumni are encouraged to lead interactive workshops that cultivate essential skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking. These sessions benefit not only the students but also foster a culture of lifelong learning for all participants.

Share knowledge at alumni events

Participating in alumni events like UM Connect Day and UM Star Lectures through lectures and workshops offers an excellent opportunity for alumni to share their knowledge and reconnect with peers. By engaging in these initiatives, alumni contribute to the continuous development of their fellow graduates while enhancing their own professional growth.

Providing an internship

Support students' professional development by providing internships within your organisation. Internships are invaluable for students, offering them practical experience and a chance to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting.

We are always on the lookout for internship opportunities that can help students gain essential skills and insights into their chosen fields. If you're interested in offering an internship, please reach out to us at careerservices@maastrichtuniversity.nl. Your contribution can significantly impact a student's career journey while fostering a connection between your organisation and the UM community.

Providing an interview or testimonial

As a Maastricht University alum, your experiences and insights are invaluable to the UM community. By sharing your journey through an interview, you can inspire prospective students, inform current students, and connect with fellow alumni.

Providing an interview

Maastricht University regularly features interviews with alumni across various platforms, including the Alumni website and newsletter, SBE-news, and UMagazine. We invite you to share your experiences at UM through an interview, as your insights can greatly benefit both prospective students and fellow alumni. By participating, you'll contribute to a richer understanding of the diverse paths and opportunities that a UM education can offer.

Providing a testimonial

We are also seeking testimonials from alumni to highlight their experiences in their respective programmes or faculties. Your personal story can guide future students in their decision-making process, as well as provide current students with valuable insights.