image: Fitness app inspires Aston University director to keep tens of thousands of graduates in touch view more
Credit: Aston University
- Fitness app used in lockdown sparked ‘lightbulb’ moment
- Aston for Life platform was launched on 11 July
- Alumni can support each other professionally through personalised content and networks.
A fitness app used during lockdown has inspired one woman to keep tens of thousands of people who studied at Aston University connected.
The exclusive online space unlocks the expertise within the Aston University global alumni community of graduates, enabling them to support each other in their professional lives through personalised content and networks.
The Aston for Life platform, launched in front of 200 guests on Tuesday 11 July at Aston University’s students’ union, is the brainchild of the University’s executive director of alumni relations and development, Kerrie Holland, who got the idea while she was working out in her bedroom during the pandemic.
She was impressed that the app she was using created a personalised programme of content for her and decided the same could be created for the University’s many graduates.
Kerrie said: “Little did I think that something as basic as using a fitness app would lead to a way of keeping tens of thousands of people living across the world connected.
“While there are plenty of off-the-shelf alumni platforms around, even the big US universities are not offering personalised development or involving alumni in content creation at scale.
“Our alumni community has been really enthusiastic from the beginning, and more than 500 of them have worked with us to design and develop a platform that will meet their professional needs. “
The platform will have four main features: a personalised feed; a content library full of videos, articles and podcasts, networking opportunities and an international alumni directory.
Aston for Life project manager, Abby Sweeting, added: “This is just the beginning – we’ll be continuing to develop the platform over the coming months.
“We want to say thank you to our global alumni community who have been with us since we began. They took part in the consultation to shape the platform, they created content, they tested the beta version, and they’ve even been models in our marketing materials!”
Aston University alumni who want to get involved and support the platform should contact the alumni relations and development team at alumni@aston.ac.uk