Yale University is a private Ivy League university and the third oldest higher education Institution in the world with its origins going back to 1701.
The alumni volunteers visited NMMU as part of the Yale Global Leadership Exchange (YaleGale) programme and in doing so, also initiated a number of viable partnerships with the new generation university going forward.
“We know that this relationship will develop on various levels as different sectors of the University interacted with the guests during the YaleGale programme,” said NMMU Director: Alumni Relations Paul Geswindt.
The alumni volunteers, whose experience spans decades, across various sectors including law, business, banking, architecture, the arts and academia offered advice in an "alumni relations best practice workshop" Many of workshop hosts have won awards for their work achievements.
The YaleGale alumni travel around the globe giving of their time and talents to other universities as part of their loyalty to their alma mater. This was the YaleGale’s first trip to Africa.
They praised the University’s strategic plan, as captured in the VC’s Vision 2020 video, and marvelled at what has been achieved in such a short time with limited resources,” said Mr Geswindt.
Senior Director of International Alumni Relations and Travel at the Association of Yale Alumni Kathy Edersheim was among those who had high praise for NMMU.
“The reception was warm and the programme excellent,” said Ms Edersheim. Yale guests also singled out the “impressive infrastructure”.
The Yale guests toured the University’s five Port Elizabeth campuses and also had dinner at the South End Museum.
