Background of the APSAN
The potentiality of the talented pool of scholars who have participated in the programme was identified and APS alumni was formed to revitalize, unite and empower a strong and interactive network. Consequently, APS Alumni Secretariat was established, and the work carried out laid foundation for multiple results such as initiatives with social impact and events conducted by alumni, established country and cohort representation, implementing scholarly and development projects for building sustainable peace and addressing policy challenges in Asia.
Overall function and Structure of APS Alumni Network
Secretariat and workgroups:
The core role of the APS Alumni secretariat is ‘to mobilize the APS alumni body’ and ‘to facilitate and guide activities targeted at creating opportunities for, and connection between its members’. The Secretariat will be governed by an Executive Council, who will work closely with a Board of Directors, and will have the following key functions:
- Manage Communication & Media Outreach
- Facilitate Alumni-led Initiatives & Career Development
- Management of Alumni Database & Events
The Executive Council of the Secretariat will consist of a Chair (Ms. Gayathri Gamage, APS Alumni Relations officer of the APS programme) and 3 Executive Council Members, who are alumni of the APS programme priority countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam) and an alumnus who represents all non-priority countries. The Executive Council’s role is to implement all activities of the APS Alumni Secretariat. Despite different kinds and levels of responsibilities of the Executive Council Members, there is no hierarchy between the Chair and other Members, which makes the Executive Council and the alumni network a more open, inclusive and creative body. Tenure of all EC members to serve in the Secretariat is two years, and nominations will be taken thereafter for renewal and new memberships. The secretariat members are self-nominated and the Board of Directors appoint the best-fitted representatives based on the nominees’ CV and motivation letter. Meet the secretariat members
Under the executive council, working groups are formed to carry out identified, specific activities. Each of above three sections include two alumnus (or more depending on the nature of the activity) who work on identified tasks. These working groups are not a part of secretariat but will work closely with the relevant executive council members in order to produce specific outputs. Depending on the nature of the activity, country representatives and cohort representatives sign-up for the working groups. The calls for sign-up is posted via alumni website, Facebook page, emails, where any alumni member sign up for task-based engagement. Tenure of work group members are aligned to the duration of the task, allowing the alumnus to engage with the network depending on their time of choice and interest of subjects.
The role of the Board of Directors is ‘to guide the Executive Council in its activities, providing systematic academic, legal, financial insight, based on their experience and the goals of the APS programme’. The Board of Directors consist of representatives of the three partner organizations working on the APS programme (The Nippon Foundation, UPEACE and AdMU).