Uniting our global alumni community to raise young people’s aspirations
We’re excited to start the year by announcing the programme for NCL in Action 2024, a month-long series of events and activities to bring together the Newcastle University community to raise aspirations in education and employment.
18 January 2024
We’re excited to start the year by announcing the programme for NCL in Action 2024, a month-long series of events and activities to bring together the Newcastle University community to raise aspirations in education and employment.
NCL in Action brings together Newcastle graduates, students and colleagues around the world to take action and create positive change. This year, the university community will be invited to come together to ensure everyone can access the same opportunities to develop professionally and personally, whatever their background.
A recent report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies concluded that social mobility is the worst it has been in 50 years. Newcastle University is committed to helping as many people in our communities as possible to achieve their potential and move up.
We're joining forces with the Newcastle United Foundation to succeed in this mission throughout March 2024. Through their education, sport, personal development, and wellbeing programmes, the Newcastle United Foundation helps thousands of people in the local community to be more active, learn new skills and feel happier and healthier.
With a jam-packed schedule of online events, mentoring programmes and fundraising challenges – there’s something for everyone! It is your opportunity to connect with other alumni, develop your skills to take the next leap in your career, discover a new way of thinking and support the next generation of Newcastle graduates.
We’ll have an exciting keynote lecture to kick-off proceedings (more details to be shared soon!), then welcome an expert panel of alumni, students and colleagues to debate the importance of education in changing society, in partnership with DebateMate.
The launch day will conclude with a reunion and celebration event for Newcastle University’s PARTNERS programme, which has been opening the door to higher education for almost 25 years.
Breaking down barriers
Throughout March, members of the university community will be able to pledge their support to help our local and global communities in overcoming barriers to higher education and professional development.
This includes volunteering opportunities with local schools in the North East, where in some of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods only 12% progress to higher education (compared to the national average of 37%). Our partners NU Foundation also have a range of volunteering opportunities for those based locally to get involved in.
For those further afield, we hope you will use NCL in Action as a springboard to inspire giving back and helping to raise aspirations where you live.
There are also two fundraising challenges open to all members of our community and get moving at the same time! The ‘Climb a Virtual Mountain’ challenge invites alumni, colleagues and students to climb the equivalent of Ben Nevis, Mount Fuji or Mount Everest over 31 days to raise money for the Newcastle Student Fund. And for those lucky enough to bag a ballot space in the 2024 Great North Run, there are opportunities to join fellow alumni in Team Newcastle to support the next generation of graduates too.
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Supporting potential
NCL in Action 2024 will also include plenty of opportunities for alumni to take the next steps in their own career and reach their potential.
Our Alumni Networks around the world will host events to introduce alumni from across generations and sectors, helping graduates at all stages to enhance their networks and learn from each other. With over 270,000 alumni globally, there is a wealth of experience to benefit from and a wealth of connections to provide a helping hand.
Additionally, a mentoring scheme will see recent graduates and those established in their career joining together to learn from each other, and webinars with industry experts from our alumni community will tackle some of the biggest hurdles to career progression, including imposter syndrome and financial fears.
Get involved
Registrations are now open for all the events and activities in the 2024 NCL in Action programme.