Former students from San Anton School have launched Malta’s first alumni social networking site (www.oldantonians.org), an exclusive space to rediscover old friendships and contact those with similar interests.

The website, which like other social networks requires the setting up of a personal profile page, allows students to “tag” their particular interests, employers, country of residence, course and University to find other alumni who have tagged the same.

“You can also search for old classmates and contact them privately or post messages to the whole community,” says Luke Frendo, president of the school’s Alumni Association.

Users will be able to get in touch to offer advice and information with others, identified by their tags.

Unlike other networking sites, such as Facebook, the site, designed by old Antonian John Camilleri, will not bombard users with requests, spam and friend invitations and will only be open to former students of San Anton School.

Through its 22-year existence, San Anton School has educated over 1,000 students, many of whom are still well under 30 years old.

“Many of us are studying or working abroad or just starting to get noticed in our careers. Some are settling down and starting families. But whatever phase or country we find ourselves in, it’s always good to get in touch with someone familiar,” Mr Frendo said.

The Alumni Association, formed last year with the aim of reconnecting old Antonians, is planning a number of events for the future and will use the network to keep people updated.

“Having a point of reference – someone to offer guidance and possibly open doors – is of infinite value and we wanted to facilitate that. A private viral network of this type is really the only way our association can offer true value to our members. It uses the internet to build bridges and brings the alumni within easy reach of one another,” Mr Frendo said.