Old schools alumni associations are set to explore opportunities to move beyond supporting their former schools and collaborate on businesses and investments that can create jobs and promote economic development.

The initiative will be launched at the maiden Old Schools Alumni Networking Gala Dinner, which is expected to bring together alumni groups and year groups from different schools to explore opportunities in entrepreneurship, investment and business development.

The organisers say the initiative will harness the collective expertise, professional networks and financial resources of alumni to support viable businesses in sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing and technology.

The gala will also bring together alumni, entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions and public and private sector stakeholders to identify potential areas of collaboration.

The event is expected to generate business ideas, investment commitments and strategic partnerships, with participants forming working groups around selected sectors.

The organisers also plan to use the gala as the starting point for an Old Schools Alumni Business Network, which will identify investment opportunities, facilitate partnerships and mobilise resources for alumni-led enterprises.

The initiative is being held under the theme, “From Alumni Support to Alumni Enterprise: Building Businesses, Creating Jobs, Transforming Communities.”

The organisers believe alumni associations, which have traditionally supported their former schools through infrastructure projects, educational support and student welfare programmes, can play a broader role in promoting entrepreneurship and job creation.

They say the long-term objective is to establish a sustainable platform through which alumni can collectively create businesses, generate employment and contribute to economic development.