Polytechnic University presented its experience with alumni at a forum in Yerevan
The International Forum «Alumni Mentoring — Investing in the Future» was held at the Russian-Armenian University. The event brought together university representatives, experts, and academic community leaders from Armenia and Russia to discuss how to build long-term relationships with alumni and turn mentoring into a tool for educational development.
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University was represented at the forum by Pavel Nedelko, Assistant to the Vice-Rector for International Affairs, and Sergey Chichenyov, Director of the Fundraising and Alumni Relations Center. They took part in a panel discussion titled «Alumni Community: International Experience.» During their presentation, the Polytechnic representatives shared how their university has structured its alumni relations — from recent graduates to those who completed their studies decades ago. They spoke about annual ceremonies and traditions that strengthen the graduate’s bond with their alma mater, the creation of an alumni database, the activities of the Alumni Association, and how they engage the most active graduates — the so-called «Polytechnic Ambassadors» — in university life.
Special attention was paid to international alumni: SPbPU has clubs and associations in various countries, and some of them become ambassadors of Russian education and science abroad. A key part of the presentation was the experience of developing the endowment fund, to which charitable graduates contribute. In recent years, the university’s endowment has grown significantly, and today it is one of the effective mechanisms for supporting the university. The speakers also spoke about charity marathons timed to coincide with memorable dates in Polytechnic’s history, as well as awards given to the most devoted alumni.
Pavel Nedelko and Sergey Chichenyov not only presented Polytechnic’s accumulated experience at the forum but also discussed prospects for joint projects in mentoring and community development with colleagues from other universities.