Peter Harris
Former pupils and students from across Otago are the
targets of an initiative aimed at luring them home.
The Dunedin City Council has secured $126,500 in funding from
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise for the project, which would
be used to help alumni groups contact people and encourage
them to return home.
The one-year project was also being supported by $50,000
combined funding from the council, regional economic
development agency Otago Forward, Tourism Dunedin and Otago
Polytechnic.
Council economic development unit manager Peter Harris said
the funding would be used by council staff to build online
databases, which would be used by alumni groups from
secondary schools and tertiary bodies.
The tools would help the groups organise reunions and promote
opportunities across Otago to "re-engage" ex-pupils living
abroad to become involved in the region again, he said.
"Many people leave the region with very fond memories of
their time here.
"We want to ensure they not only get to relive these times
through reunions, but that they understand the ways the
region has changed since they left, and the opportunities
there might be for them here now," Mr Harris said.
Council EDU business development adviser Deb Sutton said the
University of Otago and some schools, such as Otago Boys'
High School, already had good alumni programmes in place.
So far, 15 schools had indicated a willingness to be
involved, she said.
Otago Forward chairman and Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive
Geddes said the project would help connect businesses looking
for staff, investment or mentoring with alumni "scattered
around the world who have goodwill towards Otago".
"This project will help alumni turn good memories into great
opportunities and will offer Otago businesses an incredible
pool of talent, contacts and investment."
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