Third edition: International Alumni

The aim of the project is to internationalize and increase the competitiveness of Polish universities by developing their capacity to recruit and support international individuals. The initiative focuses on extending existing university activities by building lasting, systemic relationships with international alumni, which constitutes an important complement to earlier projects aimed at international students, doctoral candidates, and staff. The project aligns with AGH’s strategic development directions, strengthening its position as an open, globally engaged university that supports the idea of a borderless academic community. AGH’s development strategy defines the university as a dynamically developing “university of the future,” based on over a century of tradition in addressing scientific challenges, creating innovative technological and technical solutions for the economy, and fulfilling tasks resulting from the needs of the state, local communities, and business partners. A key role in building this vision is played by the university’s graduates – including international ones – who, thanks to the knowledge and experience gained, become leaders in the development of the economy and society in Poland and around the world.

The project, implemented by AGH University as one of 34 universities, is funded by the European Union under the European Social Fund for Development 2021–2027 (FERS), within the project titled: “Support for higher education and research institutions in serving foreign nationals and Polish citizens going abroad,” project no. FERS.01.05.IP.08-0003/24.

Results of the Welcome to Poland - call 2025

Project reference number:BPI/WTP/2025/1/00031
Implementation period: 1 May 2026 - 30 April 2028 
Funding amount: 547 750.57 PLN

Project activities:

• Training for teaching, research and administrative staff involved in project activities relating to the development and implementation of a strategy for building relationships with international alumni.
• Recruitment of a Welcome Point officer within the CSM structure (full-time), who will be responsible, amongst other things, for:
  • drafting regulations for the recruitment of training participants in the area of strategies for relations with international alumni, recruiting participants and organising the training
  • maintaining ongoing contact and building relationships with international students/PhD candidates in their final year of study and with international AGH graduates,
  • organising information sessions to raise awareness of the project among international AGH students/PhD candidates (in-person) and international graduates (online),
  • conducting a survey of final-year international students/PhD candidates and AGH graduates and compiling a report,
  • developing a strategy for building relationships with international graduates in consultation with AGH units responsible for relations with international alumni,
  • developing content for the portal for international alumni,
  • coordinating recruitment for two editions of the mentoring programme, which pairs international graduates with current AGH students and PhD candidates,
  • organising two editions of International Alumni Day at AGH.
• Creation of a modern portal dedicated to AGH’s international alumni community, which will serve as a central platform for communication and the exchange of experiences and information.
• Delivery of two editions of a mentoring programme for AGH’s international alumni and students, supporting the development of skills, networking and strengthening ties with the university.
• Organisation of two editions of the International Alumni Day event at AGH – integration and promotional meetings aimed at strengthening the alumni community and enhancing the university’s international image.

Target groups:

• Direct beneficiaries:
  • AGH graduates living abroad – 300 people – graduates living and working outside Poland who completed their studies at AGH. The project aims to activate, engage and integrate them with the university through: participation in an opinion survey, inclusion in the communication and promotion strategy, participation in a mentoring programme (20 international alumni), participation in International Alumni Day, and the opportunity to register and actively participate in the community via a dedicated portal.
  • AGH students and PhD students, including international students – 20 people – participants in the mentoring programme, who will benefit from the support of international alumni, which will contribute to their better adaptation, the development of their skills and the building of international professional contacts.
  • AGH staff involved in internationalisation and cooperation with alumni – 10 people
  • Newly recruited WP staff member – 1 person – a dedicated individual who, thanks to the project, will begin working within AGH’s structures and will be responsible for the operational implementation of project activities.
• Indirect beneficiaries:
  • The AGH academic community (undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers, administrative staff, management) – benefiting from the project’s outcomes, such as: access to a network of contacts with overseas alumni, greater opportunities for international cooperation, strengthening the university’s image abroad, and the development of internationalisation skills
  • Institutions and companies cooperating with AGH (external partners)
  • Institutions promoting Polish higher education abroad, utilising the results of AGH’s promotional activities as an example of good practice in building relationships with international graduates 

Project objectives:

• To develop and implement a long-term model for AGH’s cooperation with international alumni, which will form the basis for systematically engaging this group in the life of the university,
• To strengthen relations with AGH’s international alumni, thereby fostering lasting ties and an active alumni community,
• Promoting AGH and Polish higher education abroad through communication activities and engaging international alumni as ambassadors for the university’s brand,
• Developing a sustainable and scalable model of cooperation with international alumni and integrating it into the university’s development strategy,
• Strengthening AGH’s global position through an international network of ambassadors who will promote the university and support its activities on the international stage,
• Increasing the global recognition of AGH and Polish higher education, which will contribute to the university’s growing prestige and attractiveness,
• Incorporating the project’s results into AGH’s development strategy once funding has ended, thereby ensuring the sustainability and continuation of activities.

Outcomes:

• Building an integrated, international alumni community – the creation of a lasting, active network of graduates who feel an emotional and professional connection to AGH, and who are ready to engage with its academic life and promote the University abroad.
• Strengthening relationships with prospective and current international graduates – through project activities, we will strengthen ties with those who have already graduated or are about to graduate, laying the foundations for long-term relationships.
• Implementation of a model for systematic communication with international graduates – a coherent contact system, based on modern digital tools and ensuring regular and two-way communication, will be developed and implemented.
• Creation of a global network of AGH ambassadors – the project will enable the identification and engagement of key graduates as university ambassadors, who will support recruitment, networking and promotional activities in international markets.
• Long-term impact on building the University’s prestige – the project will contribute to increasing the recognition and reputation of AGH as a university that fosters alumni relations, offers long-term educational value and maintains strong ties with its community, even after graduation.

WTP support schedule