Alumni volunteers expand global reach and impact
The Australian National 51³Ô¹ÏÍø (ANU) alumni have shown that distance is no obstacle when it comes to giving back to their alma mater, as they came together in cities across the world to celebrate the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's 75th anniversary.
Throughout 2022, volunteers were invited to help the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø mark its 75th anniversary with 75 Cities, a series of celebrations hosted and run by alumni, in Australia and around the globe.
Exceeding all expectations, more than 150 alumni took up the call to volunteer, hosting events in 88 cities - from the thumping metropolises of London and Los Angeles to the remote city of Guwahati, India.
"After reconnecting with ANU through 75 Cities, I feel grateful to be part of the ANU family," says alumnus Khairul Arif Razali (BA '15), who volunteered at the 75 Cities: Kuala Lumpur event.
"To be honest, without 75 Cities, I might not have ever seen my ANU friends again, because after graduation we basically went our own ways. Reconnecting with old friends and making new ones was an amazing experience."
More than 3,000 alumni and friends attended the events, activating 20 new alumni networks, and expanding the impact that ANU can make in the world.
The gift of time and talent
Amer Qureshi (BEc '82), 75 Cities volunteer:
"Today, I enjoy mentoring students, many from China, India and Pakistan. [My son and fellow ANU alumnus] Ali mentors in the MomentuM program at the ANU College of Business and Economics and helps students to access professional expertise. [My other son] Ahmed, also mentors graduates through his work."
Abigail Yvette Agbeteti (MAppAnthParDev '19), 75 Cities volunteer:
"I have become a great advocate of ANU, trying to get students from Africa to go over to Australia. I want to share the story of my time there, hoping it will encourage others to seek out the same transformative experience that I had. ANU is a great place to study because every person and every idea is welcome."
Vincent Li (BA '21), ANU LGBTQIA+ Network volunteer:
"Every time I helped [the ANU LGBTQIA+ Network] run campaigns and meetings, I made connections with people who wanted to better the welfare of students. By joining others who shared my passion, I made wonderful connections with academics and my peers. It was a really touching experience for me.
A big project the ANU LGBTQIA+ Network is working on, is to make it easier for transgender and non-binary alumni to change their names on their testamurs, diplomas, and degrees. The ANU LGBTQIA+ Network is trying to help make that process just a little bit smoother, and to acknowledge the experience people have been through. That's something I'm really proud to be able to weigh in on."
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This story is featured in the 2022 Report to Donors
