Globally connected: The power of an active alumni community
What does it truly mean to keep an alumni community alive and thriving? Camiel Pesch, Event and Community Coordinator at Maastricht University’s Alumni Office, shares his perspective on staying connected after graduation, the value of face-to-face interaction, and how alumni around the world can actively contribute to strengthening the network.
An alumni community is much more than a list of former students. It’s a vibrant network of individuals who inspire, support, and uplift one another. Maastricht University’s alumni community is now larger than ever, with over 100,000 alumni spread across 131 countries. Every day, Camiel Pesch is dedicated to maintaining and growing this global connection. His mission? To strengthen the bond with the university – but above all, to foster connections between alumni themselves, wherever they may be in the world.
“I want to bring our alumni together above all. We want to offer them – wherever they are in the world – a relevant network and help them connect with each other.”
The value of a lively network
According to Camiel, an active alumni community is immensely valuable – not only for the university, but especially for the alumni themselves. “An active alumni community creates a strong network and sense of belonging. Many of our alumni remain highly involved and are happy to offer support throughout their careers. Think of giving lectures, facilitating internships, sponsoring events, or donating to the University Fund for social projects.”
Alumni also serve as a source of inspiration and pride. “We have many alumni who are achieving incredible things in their careers. As a university, we can be proud that we helped launch their journeys. We’re always excited to see where our alumni end up and what great things they go on to accomplish.”
From socials to lectures: global encounters
To keep the community active and engaging, the UM Alumni Office organises numerous events each year across the globe. Some are small and tailored to specific groups, while others – like the popular UM Star Lectures – attract larger crowds across multiple European cities. There's also the annual UM Connect Day, an opportunity for alumni to return to Maastricht and relive their student days.
On a local level, events are often organised in collaboration with alumni themselves. “If there are alumni who would like to organise something in their own city, we’re happy to help. In cities where we have an alumni population of 500 or more, we usually work with a volunteer alumni committee made up of several alumni who assist in organising activities.”
These committees are essential to bringing events to life on the ground: “I start by looking for enthusiastic alumni in that region who are keen to help us set things up. We usually begin with a pilot to gauge interest – if it looks promising, we move forward. The alumni committees help mainly with finding a venue, securing sponsorships from local companies, and of course being present on the day to welcome our guests. We handle the backend and communications to ensure everyone receives an invitation and can register.”
The power of face-to-face
While digital tools are useful, Camiel is a firm believer in the power of face-to-face connection. That’s why he tries to attend as many events in person as possible. “I try to attend as many events as possible to stay connected with our committees and alumni community. Nothing beats face-to-face interaction, because that’s when the real connections are made. Through a screen or on the phone, it’s just not the same – for me, there can never be enough in-person moments.”
Since the pandemic, he’s also noticed that alumni themselves are eager to reconnect in person: “Everyone’s excited to get out there again and forge real connections.”
“A large network is hugely important for your career and can bring you so much. That’s why we absolutely want to support our alumni in this.”
Networking as a strategic pillar – Camiel’s Tips
Networking is one of the key ways to stay connected – not only with each other, but also with Maastricht University. It’s about more than exchanging contacts; it’s a way of making a meaningful impact on current and future students. Camiel: “We want to connect alumni not only with each other, but also with the university, the faculties and study programmes. Together, we can support future students by using our network – and also by facilitating a network for others.”
Camiel is happy to share his personal tips on how to expand and enrich your network:
Show genuine interest in others:
Instead of focusing on what you can gain, ask sincere questions and listen actively. People immediately sense when you’re only there to “take.” Ask about their work, interests, or challenges.
Prepare a short and clear introduction of yourself:
Think about how to present yourself confidently in one or two sentences.
Follow up within 24 to 48 hours:
Did you meet someone at an event or via LinkedIn? Send a short message or email to thank them and, if appropriate, suggest a concrete next step
For alumni unsure where to begin, Camiel recommends starting small:
Sign up for the UM Alumni Newsletter:
It offers university updates, event invitations and alumni stories. Low effort, but keeps you involved. Sign up for the newsletter by updating your data.
Attend an alumni event in your region:
UM regularly organises (international) alumni events, socials, and lectures. Attending even just now and then helps maintain your network.
Join a WhatsApp or LinkedIn group in your city or region:
Stay up to date with activities and easily connect with others in your area by joining a Whatsapp Community or a LinkedIn group.
The future: growth, milestones and new opportunities
With a growing alumni population and ambitious plans ahead, the future is all about strengthening engagement and community. Camiel is optimistic and forward-looking: “We already have more than 100,000 alumni, and that group is only going to grow. In the future, I see even more events and stronger connections between us, our alumni and our future students.”
A major milestone is already in sight: in 2026, Maastricht University will celebrate its 50th anniversary – a unique moment to reflect, reconnect and look ahead. “There’s a lot of preparation happening for this special anniversary. Here’s a little teaser: something big is coming in May 2026,” Camiel says with a meaningful smile. Alumni around the world can look forward to a celebratory year full of memories, new connections, and fresh opportunities to make a difference – together.
Text: Janneke Haemers
Photography: Alexander Rentsch, Joris Hilterman
Also read
-
Behind the Scenes of a Coaching Debut
A new role, fresh encounters, and heartfelt conversations: five alumni recently took their first steps as coaches during the UM Coach Café. In an evening full of inspiration and connection, Erica, Gerla, Loes, Marike, and Mike discovered what it means to support students and alumni in their career...
-
Alumna Angela Stoof: The gentle strength of perspective
Angela Stoof brings hope and humanity into rigid systems, blending psychology, spirituality and storytelling in her mission for meaningful change.
-
Bold and innovative: The first years of Maastricht University through the eyes of Job Metsemakers
In 2024, Maastricht University welcomed its 100,000th alumna, just ahead of its 50th anniversary in 2026. Job Metsemakers, one of the university’s first students, reflects on its early years, its pioneering role in medical education, and its global influence, while celebrating the growth and lasting...
