From the Vice-Chancellor

The world is definitely getting smaller.

Recently I was in Chile where I was greeted by a friendly voice in Santiago Airport: "Mr President!" It was a former student from one of our wine programs who recognised me. He had returned home with his wife, an Adelaide law graduate, to work and live in Chile. This graduate was still carrying his student ID, and proudly showed it to me!

It was such a pleasant surprise to receive this warm welcome so far from Adelaide, and it was also a gratifying reminder of the kind of impact our education has on people's lives, wherever they might be in the world.

Regardless as to whether you still keep your old student ID card in your wallet or purse, the University of Adelaide is never far away. This year we've brought Adelaide a lot closer to our alumni globally thanks to the launch of a new online community.

Called "Adelaide onLION", the website is a social and professional networking site for University of Adelaide alumni. Membership is free and is open to graduates, current and former staff, and current and former students.

The site gives members the opportunity to connect with their University and fellow alumni within a safe and secure online environment. It's ideal for professional networking, giving members the opportunity to find jobs and mentoring opportunities, post vacancies, upload resumes and make contacts with others in their field.

As a social networking tool, it gives you the chance to re-connect with fellow classmates, make new contacts, take part in online discussions, join groups, and create a personal profile, with photos and video.

Alumni news and benefits to members are also an important part of what the site offers.

The alumni community is responding well to Adelaide onLION - since its launch mid-year by the Development and Alumni office, more than 7000 people have joined, and the number is growing every week.

To find out more, visit: www.alumni.adelaide.edu.au

Of course, another way to learn about exciting developments at the University is by reading publications such as this (our monthly publication, Adelaidean, which will return in March 2009) or our alumni magazine, Lumen, which comes out twice a year and now has a circulation of 56,000 per issue.

The latest issue of Lumen is out this month, and it contains a cover story about one of our great graduates, South Australia's Lieutenant Governor and former refugee Mr Hieu Van Le. His is a fascinating story, and I recommend this magazine to you - whether you receive a printed copy or read it online.

To read any of these publications and to stay in touch with other news and events at the University, visit: www.adelaide.edu.au/news/

We can't always be lucky enough to cross paths in person, which is why I'm pleased that technology is helping us to stay connected.

PROFESSOR JAMES A. McWHA
Vice-Chancellor and President