Message from the President
Melbourne Business School has always benefitted from and appreciated the enthusiastic support of a strong alumni body. In the School’s early years many people gave their time and service to Alumni Association committees (previously known as MUBSA and BAGS).
In 2006, it was decided to use the vast experience and diversity of the alumni body in a more co-ordinated way and so the Alumni Advisory Council was formed. Its initial purpose was to act as a “sounding board” to the School and to represent the interests of alumni in the development of the School’s alumni relations policies, programs and services. The Alumni Council President sits on the MBS Board.
Led by President Tien Vy Vu, the work of the Council has been outstanding. Members have been involved in a range of activities through the various Committees on Philanthropy, Marketing, Programs and Services, Integration, Alumni Chapters and Nominations and Awards. The Council also initiated the successful program of conferring the Distinguished Alumnus and Outstanding Recent Alumnus Awards at the annual Alumni Dinner.
This year, many of the inaugural members of the Council have completed their term of office and stepped down. I take this opportunity to thank all retiring Council Members. To reflect a new focus, in 2009 the name of the Council was changed to the Melbourne Business School Alumni Council and the Council adopted a comprehensive 3-year business plan to work with the School on strategic projects to help with the following:
• increasing the admission of talented students
• assisting with career advice to current students
• encouraging greater involvement of alumni—and our respective alumni organisations—with MBS
• raising funds to support the ongoing development of excellence in business education
• and importantly, ensuring we retain and leverage the history and connections of our School.
Recently after an extensive nomination process and a large number of applications 10 new Council Members have been appointed and they join the Council in May 2010. I welcome these new members.
There is much to be done and there are many opportunities for everyone to help, in small or large ways. Council members are keen to speak to anyone who would like to consider a closer involvement with the School.
With the strength and experience of the existing Council members combined with the enthusiasm and diversity of our new people, we look forward to a very productive year working to ensure that we all continue to benefit from our association with this great Australian business school.
Frank Zipfinger (EMBA 2003)
