About Alumni Relations

‘Alumni’ is the word that describes university graduates collectively. Derived from an Arabic word aalim, ‘alumni’ means ‘scholar or an expert in a particular field’. The word is also a Latin noun (alumnus), meaning ‘foster son or pupil’, and derived from the verb alere (‘to nourish’). If you’re a female graduate, you’re an ‘alumna’ (pl. ‘alumnae’) and if you’re a male graduate, you’re an ‘alumnus’ (pl. ‘alumni’). The university you graduated from is your alma mater (‘bountiful mother’). The Alumni Relations Office is responsible for ensuring a lifelong, mutually beneficial relationship between alumni and their alma mater. At Wits, we consider both graduates (those with a Wits degree) and diplomats (those with Wits diplomas) as alumni. Those who obtained short-course certificates are not strictly alumni, although we also recognise them as Wits family and sustain relations where possible.

Alumni Office 

The Alumni Relations Office establishes, maintains and strengthens a lifelong, mutually beneficial relationship between alumni and their alma mater, so that alumni have the opportunity to participate in advancing the University. We maintain a database of all former students of Wits, as well as graduates of the University.

The Alumni Office implements an Alumni Liaison strategy comprising:

• A pre-alumni programme that educates students about their future role as alumni
• An alumni media programme (publications, webzines, social media) that recognises high-achieving alumni and updates alumni on University developments
• An alumni networking, functions and events programme to encourage alumni to engage with the University and each other
• An alumni career, mentoring and networking programme to support alumni careers

Mission

The mission of Alumni Relations is to maintain a lifelong relationship with alumni through opportunities and benefits that promote interaction and engagement with Wits and facilitate alumni’s contribution to the advancement and success of the University.

Objectives 

• To implement an Alumni Liaison programme that builds and sustains a relationship with alumni that encourages them to:identify with Wits
  - participate in University matters
  - contribute to the University’s  advancement
  - promote the good name and reputation of Wits locally and abroad

• To encourage alumni participation by implementing an alumni media programme and a programme of events and networking opportunities that supports alumni personal and professional development

• To establish and service alumni forums (alumni associations, chapters and clubs) that enable and enhance the Alumni/Alma Mater relationship

• To support the University’s development by cooperating with Advancement Division departments (Marketing and Communications, Development and Fundraising, Function and Events) in implementing the alumni programme.

Service Charter 

Contact information

(including signing on to the student database)
Email: alumni@wits.ac.za | Phone: 717-1090
Fax: 403-4493 or 717-1099

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