The Science without Borders UK alumni network: long-term engagement after exchange programmes

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Since 2012, over 11,000 Brazilian students were sent to the United Kingdom under the Science without Borders scheme. The programme itself represented an enormous impulse towards internationalization of Higher Education in Brazil, and it has positively impacted the relationship between the UK and Brazil. Understanding the importance of Brazilian students’ role in supporting further development of mutually beneficial and sustainable partnerships between HE institutions of both countries, the British Embassy in Brazil has created in October of 2014 the SwB UK Alumni network.
This initiative aims to support undergraduate and postgraduate students from the programme once they return from the UK, by (i) enabling them to continue engaging with the UK-Brazil network; (ii) fostering in them a sense of community and encouraging them to spread the word about their experience with other alumni, the academic community and Brazilian society , and (iii) helping them reflect upon their experience abroad and how to maximize it, considering the next steps taken in their professional/academic life.
Some of the network’s initiatives include digital communication (newsletters, social media and blog); career days and alumni meetings (events focused on professional and academic development) and cultural contests to elect “Ambassadors” for the cause. Though student engagement has been a challenge because of the lack of alumni associations’ tradition within Brazil, the SwB UK alumni network has shown great potential and should become sustainable in the near future.

Author(s):

Cíntia Toth Gonçalves    
British Consulate General – São Paulo
Brazil

Amanda Savioli Marques Tavares    
British Consulate General – São Paulo
Brazil