Sydney University International House Alumni Association

Sydney University International House Alumni Association (SUIHAA) has been inspired by the commitment of the house to international understanding and friendship, and for most of us this influence has remained a theme of our lives with our experiences in the house being important formative memories. We formed enduring friendships in the house that continue to enrich our lives.

SUIHAA's constitution (pdf, 94 KB) commits us to encouraging and supporting communication and engagement among International House alumni and the University in promoting the aims and ideals of international understanding within the University of Sydney and the wider community.

• We support ongoing communication among SUIHAA members via our Facebook page and quarterly newsletter – see links below.
• SUIHAA members join together to support initiatives that promote the ideals of international understanding and friendship. For example, we raised $100,000 in 2008-12 (approx.) to support the founding of the Bo Children’s Hospital in Sierra Leone. The Hospital was originally a proposal of Dr Nuli Lemoh, a SUIHAA and Rotary member. We are delighted that the hospital is now functioning to save children’s lives, and generating income with ongoing support of Bo, Sydney and UK Rotary clubs, as well as SUIHAA and IHMA.
• SUIHAA organizes the biannual Graeme DeGraaff and Lauris Elms Roundtable that promotes international friendship and understanding.  We hope you enjoy the recording of the June 2023 Roundtable
• SUIHAA also organizes an annual Rosemary Berrick Photography Competition for SUIHAA alumni, and the annual Walter Westman Lecture regarding Science, Humanity and the Environment.

The University decided that the International House buildings are at the end of their lives. The last residents left at the end of 2020. The University has indicated its plans to redevelop International House as part of a redevelopment of the entire area from the Wentworth Building to International House.  This is likely to take four to six years to accomplish.  We advise alumni to stay vigilant during the coming years to ensure that a successful International House program continues.

The alumni community continues to work for the future of IH, and to communicate with alumni via newsletters and Facebook.

Please see the past SUIHAA Newsletters below.