As a Lund University alumna, Cicilia Jeppsson, now International Coordinator at the Division of Global Engagement and Project Manager at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, offers an insider’s view of what drives the university’s global success. From her position at the heart of Lund’s international work, she reflects on the forces shaping our global impact and the essential role of our alumni.
The people who once walked our campus
What makes Lund University succeed globally? And why is it important? Rankings, groundbreaking research and strategic partnerships inevitably play a vital role. But our true strength lies in you. The people who once walked our campus. Our alumni.
Reputation – the currency of global academia
In today’s competitive academic world, reputation, visibility and impact are the three pillars of success.
• Reputation reflects how others perceive our university. Its quality, credibility and attractiveness.
• Visibility ensures that reputation can be noticed, improved and reinforced. The more we appear in relevant contexts through research, media, collaborations and digital channels – the more opportunities we create to strengthen our reputation and increase our global impact.
• Impact is the ultimate goal – the tangible difference we make globally through knowledge, innovation and societal progress.
A strong reputation in higher education shapes everything: Attracting talented students and faculty, securing funding and building strong partnerships. It signals to the world: “This is where knowledge thrives and futures are shaped.”
In my role as an International Coordinator and Project Manager at Lund University, part of my work is to increase understanding across the university of why global reputation, visibility and storytelling focused on impact matter. Every research breakthrough, every student success story and every alumni achievement shapes how the world sees us. When we share these stories effectively, we build trust, attract talent and open doors to new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Alumni – our global ambassadors
Now imagine extending Lund University’s presence to every corner of the globe to increase our visibility and reinforce our reputation. Too ambitious? Not really – we’re already doing it. Our alumni across the globe carry the Lund name wherever they go. But to make that name resonate, we must engage, share stories and nurture pride.
Every alumnus is a living proof of Lund University’s impact. When you share your story, mentor a student or represent Lund University in your professional life, you amplify our reputation. One LinkedIn post can inspire a future student. That student thrives, graduates and becomes an ambassador themselves. This is how reputation grows – organically and globally.
How alumni influence global rankings – do you want to help?
Global rankings, such as Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE) often measure reputation through global surveys. These surveys ask academics and employers worldwide which universities they consider excellent in teaching, research, and graduate employability.
Alumni play a key role in shaping Lund University’s reputation – not only by excelling in their careers but also by participating directly in these global reputation surveys. For example, through QS, universities can nominate employer contacts to take part in the survey. Many alumni are in positions where they hire or influence hiring decisions, which makes their perspective incredibly valuable. When alumni share their positive experiences and recognise the quality of Lund University graduates in these surveys, it strengthens our standing in international rankings and helps showcase the impact of a Lund University education worldwide.
Are you an alumnus in a position to hire or influence hiring decisions? Would you like to share your perspective in an upcoming QS Employer Survey? Register here.
A shared mission
As we continue to grow as a global leader in education and sustainability, we invite you to be part of this journey. Share your story. Engage with our community. Help us show the world what Lund University stands for. Together, we can ensure Lund University continues to shine as a global leader in education and sustainability.
Text: Cicilia Jeppsson