CEEDUCON – Central Europe’s largest conference dedicated to internationalisation – was held on 19–20 November in Prague at the O2 Universum, this year co-organised by the Tempus Public Foundation. Representing the University of Szeged’s alumni community, SZTE Alma Mater was delighted to participate, offering an excellent opportunity to engage with international peers, strategic partners, and experts working in the field of global higher education.
Beyond networking and knowledge exchange, the conference offered a wide selection of inspiring sessions, several of which focused specifically on alumni relations. The sessions we attended included:
- “Modern Trends, Technologies, and Tools to Boost International Alumni Relations” – offering practical ideas for strengthening global alumni communities, from engagement methods to the use of digital tools.
- “Developing Intercultural Competence and Work-Related Skills Thanks to a Virtual Exchange Project” – highlighting how virtual programmes can support students’ employability and build stronger bridges between current students and alumni experiences.
- “Internationalisation without Mobility: How to Actively Engage Mobility Alumni and Youth Organisations” – presenting collaborative approaches to involving mobility alumni more effectively in internationalisation at home.
- “Careers in Chaos: Career Education for a Changing Global Market” – showcasing career development frameworks that help students and graduates adapt confidently to shifting labour market realities.
- “Building the Case: Why International Students Matter” – underlining the importance of international students and alumni in institutional and national development.
- “Global Competence for a Sustainable Future: International Alumni as Changemakers” – emphasising how alumni networks can support sustainability initiatives and long-term community impact.
- “Global Graduates, Local Futures: How Alumni Networks Anchor Talent in Europe” – offering evidence-based insights on how to retain and support international graduates throughout their early career journeys.
- “Alumni Programmes: Four Examples” – a panel featuring initiatives from Germany, France, Hungary and Czechia, focusing on shared challenges and effective solutions in alumni management.
These sessions provided valuable takeaways for our office, especially in areas such as building more dynamic alumni engagement pathways and strengthening the connection between international an Hungarian students and graduates.
The conference program also included a truly memorable evening event, where we enjoyed an energetic drum show, excellent cuisine, and a stunning exhibition space. The warm, inviting atmosphere provided an ideal setting not only to strengthen long-standing professional relationships, but also to spark meaningful new connections across the international higher education community.
Attending CEEDUCON was an inspiring and enriching experience, and we look forward to integrating the insights gained into our future alumni initiatives at University of Szeged.
Report: Bianka Móró
Photos: CEEDUCON
