Alumni organise events around the world
Alumni at the event in Johannesburg
Massimo Toschi (third from left) is joined by fellow alumni in Vienna
Alumni enjoying classic British-style food at a get-together in Toronto
Alumni Consuls Paulo de Melo and Madelon Fleminger at a volunteers meet-up in Berlin
June was a busy month for Sussex’s large global alumni community, with successful volunteer-driven events taking place across four continents.
South Africa
In Johannesburg, newly-appointed Alumni Consul Garth Williams (SPRU 2016) hosted a networking event on Saturday 7 June alongside visiting academic staff from the Science Policy and Research Unit (SPRU). Alumni enjoyed meeting fellow graduates and took the opportunity to hear about Sussex Connect, the University’s new global online network and mentoring platform for alumni and students, as well as the important work of the Sussex Fund. Guests also found out how the Mandela Scholarship fund has developed since its inception over 45 years ago.
Japan
Members of the University of Sussex Alumni Association in Japan met in Tokyo on Saturday 16 June for an evening reception and a keynote speech by Professor Machiko Kaida (AFRAS 1987), Professor at Bunkyo Gakuin University and Executive Director of the Japan International Center for the Rights of the Child (C-Rights). The group were also joined by future Japanese offer holders, and enjoyed sharing their experience and helping to prepare prospective students for life at Sussex. Special thanks to Reiko Kawabata (IDS 2015) for supporting this event.
Austria
On Wednesday 20 June, eight Sussex alumni met at the Palmenhaus in the centre of Vienna at an event hosted by Alumni Consul Massimo Toschi (EURO 1992). Those present spanned from graduating years 1966 to 2018 and subjects of study ranging from financial risks/investments to European studies. The group shared stories reflecting the value of the Alumni Network, with one alumnus helping a prospective student to find accommodation, and another explaining that his brother decided to follow him in studying at Sussex “after listening to all the nice stories I told him”.
Canada
Alumni Consul Serge Markarov (IRP 2005) organised a get-together at the British-themed Duke of York pub in Toronto on Wednesday 27 June, where those present enjoyed a “great time with good food and drinks”, and reminisced over their time at Sussex.
Germany
On the same day, Alumni Consuls Camillo Beretta (Contemporary European Studies 1995), Madelon Fleminger (Critical Religious Studies 2003) and Paulo de Melo (V&E Mathematics 1999) met with Alumni Relations Coordinator Tom Furnival-Adams at Berlin’s BRLO Brwhouse to discuss their experience of volunteering as ambassadors for Sussex overseas, as well as reflecting on a successful MBA event in the city last year.
We would like to say a big thank you to all of the alumni involved in organising and hosting these events.
You can get involved too:
- Contact Consuls in your country to find out about events or offer to help organise them
- Join our growing group of Consul volunteers
- Join Sussex Connect to start mentoring and networking with Sussex alumni and students from all over the world now. Look out for regional groups within the platform coming soon.