Building Sustainable University Alumni Partnerships: A Predictive Model in the Case of Malawi

Khumbulani Ndhlovu, Millicent Ojwan’g & Daniel Allida
University of Eastern Africa, Baraton
Email: (kkndhlovu@yahoo.com)

Abstract: Alumni play a significant role in the growth and success of educational institutions. This research was conducted in the Republic of Malawi to determine the level of alumni interaction with their alma mater and the alumni’s contribution to the university’s development, thereby developing a model of how universities should interact with alumni. In this study, three private universities and three public universities were investigated. A total of 175 alumni participated in this study. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. There is a significant relationship between alumni interactions and alumni contribution to the institution’s development. The study also found out that networks and social-professional interaction best predicted alumni donations with 39.8%. Loyalty contributed the highest to towards advertising 50.7% while networks is 3.4% social professional interaction’s 1.3% these contributed to advertising 55.4%. On funding for development 61.8%, network contributed the highest with 49.0%, communication 8.8% loyalty 1.7% social professional interaction 1.3% and alumni association 1%. With scholarship 43,2%, social professional 35,5%and alumni association 7.5%The predictive model demonstrates that alumni networks, loyalty, and meaningful social professional interaction are key for universities seeking to enhance alumni-driven development and sustainability. This research recommends a predictive interaction model between alumni and alma mater.