UTech, Jamaica 2016-17 Annual Report

University of Technology, Jamaica ANNUAL REPORT 2016-2017 Page 119 Excellence Through Knowledge Social Media Over the period, we saw increases in subscribers on all active social media platforms as compared to the previous reporting period. These increases are Facebook – 15% (up from 13,219 to 15,180), Twitter – 10% (up from 4,362 to 4,778) and Instagram – 45% ( up from 2,617 to 3,807) Internal Marketing Over the period, several internal marketing initiatives were pursued including an Olympic Viewing and Staff Lyme in the Caribbean Sculpture Park, Uniform Day and Father’s Day competitions. Memorabilia Sales Throughout the reporting period $2,029,900 worth of memorabilia items were sold. These included branded university ties, scarves, vacuum bottles, pins etc. 2017 Calendar Some 5,000 copies of the 2017 Calendar were produced and delivered to students, staff and alumni. The calendar was also distributed externally to the media, diplomatic corps, ministries, opposition spokespersons, business leaders, educational institutions and civic leaders. ALUMNI RELATIONS The overall goal of the Alumni Relations Office is to strengthen the relationship between the University and its Alumni Community in order to enhance the personal, professional and business development of the Alumni, while receiving their monetary, advocacy and volunteerism support. During the period 2016-17, the following activities were facilitated in fulfilment of the Alumni Relations Office’s three main objectives: y y To connect Alumni to the University y y To connect Alumni to each other and y y To connect Alumni to the current student body. To Connect Alumni to the University During the period, the reach and engagement between the University and its Alumni and pre- Alumni student constituents were significantly expanded through a variety of social media and in-person options. On average and across social media profiles, Twitter experienced the largest increase in membership at 72%, followed by LinkedIn at 68.2 % and Facebook 5.3 %. The University successfully recruited 73 Alumni volunteers in support of its various events. In addition, 30 corporate, private or public sector organizations received recruitment support in advertising their job vacancies to the alumni community. y y The Alumni Relations Office supported the Division of Student Services and Registry with graduation preparations for the Class of 2016/17. The Office contributed Alumni Association, UTech membership applications forms, and alumni tokens, for the graduation packages. In addition, the Alumni Relations Manager chaired the Graduation Rehearsal, and addressed the graduates to sensitize them to the benefits of remaining connected to the University, post-graduation. y y Alumni were offered a variety of personal and professional development and gift options through which to connect to the University such as: ° ° Personal and Professional Development Workshops, Socials, Networking Events, Job Search and Career Management Consultations. ° ° Provision of marketing support to the alumni affiliates e.g. Alumni Association, Chapters and Special Interest Groups and