Statement: Students have the right to know what is happening at their university
Statement 18 February 2025
For immediate release
The change negotiations at our university have now been concluded with a focus on a restructuring of the entire organisation. The Board of the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University (ÅAS), just like other students, understands that the economic situation is forcing the management at ÅAU to make difficult decisions. We therefore assume that the university’s management also understands and takes students into account.
Åbo Akademi University is a small university, so the entire organisation is affected by even minor changes. The transition process was aimed at the administrative staff, but a comprehensive restructuring affects students directly, regardless of how big or small the changes are.
The Student Union is concerned about how students are heard within this change, even though we understand why a change is necessary. At this moment we have student representatives at all levels of the university, and we assume that this will not change.
Students are more and more seen as just a degree and not as individuals. With pressure for increased throughput and cost-effectiveness, the students are asking themselves: what will I become? The question only grows bigger in a time of uncertainty. A university cannot exist without its students.
ÅAS focuses now on working to ensure that our members have access to information. Students have the right to know what is happening at their university. Much of the advocacy work is done in silence, but we want all student union members to feel secure knowing that we are looking after their interests.
Questions can be directed to
Emilia Melén
Chair of the Board
The Student Union of ÅAU
so@studentkaren.fi
050 401 3524
Student, do you have questions about the situation at Åbo Akademi University?
The Student Union wants to know what questions you might have regarding the restructuring at ÅAU, and therefore we have published a question box.
Employees of ÅAS with a duty of confidentiality have access to the questions. These are compiled for the Student Union’s Board anonymously. We will then communicate the answers to the questions to our student union members.
Submit your questions in the question box.
Do you want to help organise the most important democratic event of the fall? The Student Union of ÅAU (ÅAS) is now looking for student union members who want to help make it possible for students at Åbo Akademi University to elect their representatives to the Student Union Council.
This fall, students will vote in the Student Union Council Elections to elect a new Council. As a member of the Election Committee, you will be responsible for planning and implementing the Student Union Council Elections! The Student Union’s official working language is Swedish, so you should have basic knowledge of Swedish to become elected to the Committee.
We are looking for 5–9 members in total for the committee, including a Chair and a Vice Chair, who are elected within the committee. The student who becomes the Chair of the Election Committee receives a fee of 500 euros. Members of the Election Committee may not act as representatives for any election associations.
What does the Election Committee do?
As a member of the Committee, you will work with:
- Communication about the Student Union Council Elections
- Recruitment of election officials who will help carry out the elections
- Management of candidate lists
- Practical details about voting, such as checking voting rights and determining the election results
- Keeping track of election campaigns according to the rules
- Working to ensure that as many students as possible vote!
Why should I apply to the Elections Committee?
- You will gain experience in organising an election, which is useful knowledge especially if you want to work in similar roles in the future!
- You can build on your CV and learn more about cooperation and leadership!
- You will do your part to fight for democracy and make a difference!
Did you get even a little curious?
Send a freely formulated application to the Chair of the Student Union Council, Kevin Hede, at fo@studentkaren.fi.
Remember to write in your application if you want to run for Chair or Vice Chair for the Election Committee.
Submit your application no later than 20 February 2025 at 11.59 p.m.
Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us!
We are currently looking for a coordinator for Fastlaskainen 2025 in Vasa! Fastlaskainen is a traditional student event held annually on Shrove Tuesday, featuring a sledding competition between student associations.
The coordinator has the main responsibility for organizing the event and will receive a project fee of 300 euros and the Secretary General will serve as the coordinator’s supervisor.
The coordinator’s tasks will include coordinating and organising the entire event together with ÅAS’ partners in Vasa. The tasks will be among others to:
- Programme planning
- Handling the registrations (for associations)
- Planning communication and marketing for the event
- Applying for permits and recruiting supervisors for the event
- Booking spaces and acquiring sound systems
- Event development
- Final reporting
- Other tasks as agreed
The task requires initiative and cooperation skills, the ability to stay organised, and stress tolerance. You shall contact the Board and the Student Union Office yourself if you need any help with your tasks. Previous experience in organising events, and knowledge of Finnish, Swedish, and English are considered an advantage. If you have any questions regarding the tasks, contact evenemang-abo@studentkaren.fi.
Freely formulated applications should be submitted by email no later than 19 January, 2025, at 11.59 p.m. to evenemang-abo@studentkaren.fi. The Board of the Student Union will choose the coordinator during its board meeting the following week, and work will commence immediately after the selection is confirmed.
Pictured (from left to right): Svea Välimäki, Niko Sandberg, Emilia Melén, Kevin Hede, Melina Lindholm, Erik Malmström, Angelica Loo and Emma Soini.
Press release
29 November 2024
For immediate release
The Student Union Council of Åbo Akademi Student Union (ÅAS) held its meeting on Thursday, November 28, 2024, where it elected the board and presidium for the 2025 term. The 2025 board consists of the chairperson and six board members, five of whom are based in Åbo and one in Vasa. At the meeting, a chair and a member for ÅAS’s financial board were also elected.
Emilia Melén has been appointed as Chair of the Board for 2025. Melén is studying sociology at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Business, Economics and Law at Åbo Akademi. She served on the student union board in 2024, being in charge of student culture and has been active in several student associations across campus. As chairperson, Melén aims to strengthen advocacy efforts and make ÅAS membership even more relevant and meaningful:
“I want to ensure that students’ voices are better heard in our advocacy, that our activities are current and relevant, and that membership feels meaningful,” says Melén.
Niko Sandberg was elected Vice Chair of the Board, and Jennifer Lindgren, Svea Välimäki, Melina Lindholm, Sofie Lehtovaara, and Emma Soini were elected as board members.
New Chair of the Student Union Council to Strengthen Representation and Voter Turnout
Kevin Hede (FNT list) was elected as Chair of the Student Union Council. Hede has previously been active in the council and student life, including serving as Chair of Kemistklubben rf in 2024. As Chair of the Student Union Council, he plans to ensure that all perspectives are considered in decision-making and to increase member engagement:
“As Chair of the Representative Council, I want to ensure that all perspectives are heard and that decisions are well-founded. I also aim to boost voter turnout in the student council elections,” says Hede.
The rest of the Presidium includes First Vice Chair Angelica Loo (Gemensamma Vasa) and Second Vice Chair Erik Malmström (FNT-list).
At the meeting, a chair and a member for the ÅAS Financial Board were also elected. Hamish Simpson was chosen as Chair, and Rasmus Piippo as a member. The Financial Board manages the Student Union’s properties and investments.
With its new board and presidium, Åbo Akademi Student Union looks forward to a year where student interests and engagement remain at the center of its activities.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Sandra Österlund
Secretary General,
02 215 4652,
gs@studentkaren.fi
About two weeks ago Åbo Akademi University declared their intention to make the change from physical diplomas to electronic diplomas for graduates. Since the paper diploma and its accompanied red folder have a high cultural and traditional value, many students have been alarmed by the news. The Student Union has been in contact with the university throughout the year to discuss this change and argued for the physical diploma to remain. As the chair of the board, I have gathered some of the main points from these discussions and will present these in the text below. I also want to explain the Student Union’s opinions on this issue.
First, regarding the difference between the diploma and its folder; the diploma is an examination document that is legally binding and shows examination from the program, and grades from each course. The folder is handed out during the graduation ceremony, with the diploma in it.
Åbo Akademi University is the last university in Finland which still has the physical paper diploma. Removing this extra work from the university’s personnel would ease their labor and give them time to focus on other important tasks.
The university could use an electronic database as long term storage for the original copies. The signing process of the diploma would be significantly faster. It is also more convenient to apply for work when the diploma is given in an electronic format. To ensure that a diploma is not a copy, it would be easier and faster to go through an electronic database.
To be valid, the current diploma must be made of a special paper with a sigil, water stamp, and signed by hand. These diplomas are very beautiful, but the making of them requires a lot of work. I myself value the old diplomas but can see the benefit in electronic diplomas. Moving the juridically binding document to an electronic database is a good direction. This creates the opportunity to get electronic copies of the diploma, which students have been asking for.
So, what is the future of the physical diploma? We have many students who prefer a physical document over an electronic version. The Student Union has proposed that when asked, students would be able to get a physical diploma for free. The university has taken this wish into account and will give out physical copies of the diploma at graduation ceremonies. What will the diploma look like? The official diploma will be the digital and a physical copy will also be given. The Student Union wishes that a copy with the sigil and water stamp would still be available.
Back to the folder. The university has for a long time used a red folder with golden tassels and the ÅA logo in silver. This folder is beautiful especially when compared to the paper folders other universities use. We want to keep it for its traditional importance. The Student Union will lobby for keeping the folder for graduation ceremonies.
Jonne Kunnas
Chair of the Board
The Student Union of ÅAU (ÅAS) is looking for a new Member of the Board for August–December 2024.
Please note that in order to apply for the ÅAS’ Board, you need to be proficient in Swedish as it is the Student Union’s official operative language.
You can find more information about applying for the position in the Swedish version of this news article.
The Student Union of ÅAU continues to work for the climate as the backyard of the Kåren building will be transformed into a root vegetable garden in collaboration with Kårkaféerna.
As a part of the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University’s (ÅAS) environmental plan to combat climate change, both the Student Union and Kårkaféerna have made significant efforts to promote locally produced food. To continue working for the environment, the backyard of the Kåren building will be transformed into a garden where root vegetables will be cultivated. Based on the results of Kårkaféerna’s customer questionnaire, the focus will primarily be on locally produced beetroots.
The Student Union is committed to environmental efforts in both campuses, therefore the terrace of the Havtornen building in Vasa will be converted into a fishing pier. Rumor has it that fish fingers are very popular at Academill, and ÅAS aims to compete in the local fish finger market and secure its share of the profit.
In the near future, ÅAS will recruit both gardeners and fishermen. Both the Student Union and Kårkaféerna hope that as many as possible will apply for these sought-after positions.
This news article is ÅAS’ this year’s April fool’s joke, and was made in collaboration with Kårkaféerna.
Nora Möller, who previously worked as The Student Union of ÅAU’s (ÅAS) Real Estate Coordinator, has now also been hired as a substitute Service Expert and Associations’ Expert. Möller will start in her new role on Thursday 1 February 2024.
From Thursday 1 February 2024 you can meet Nora Möller at the service point in Åbo. Möller has previously worked as ÅAS’ Real Estate Coordinator and taken care of, among other things, Tavasthem’s student apartments and the Kåren building. Now she has been hired internally and will continue in her duties as Real Estate Coordinator for ÅAS’ Financial Department while taking on new tasks as Service Expert and Associations’ Expert.
Nora Möller has taken on the task with eagerness and is motivated to serve the student union members at the service point and help ÅAS’ associations with various questions. Although Möller works mainly in Åbo, the ÅAS’ associations in Vasa can also contact her in any association-related matters. All our employees work for the student union members and associations on both campuses.
The opening hours at the service point in Åbo remain the same and Nora Möller will be at the student union members’ service at the service point on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between noon and 3 p.m. at the Kåren building.
Press release
17 January 2024
For immediate release
The Student Union Council of the Student Union of ÅAU (ÅAS) has elected Sandra Österlund as substitute Secretary General. The Presidium and the Student Union Council are looking forward to working with Österlund, and Österlund herself hopes to create positive and meaningful experiences in her position. Österlund starts her work on 1 February 2024 and will stand in for Veera Gustafsson during Gustafsson’s parental leave.
Sandra Österlund, who was elected as the substitute Secretary General of ÅAS, is from Jakobstad and has a wide range of working experience and good knowledge of student unions’ work. Österlund is experienced in event planning, has studied sociology and has worked as a Service Expert at the Student Union. Kajsa Viitamäki, Chair of the Student Union Council, says that the qualities emphasized in the recruitment process were leadership, knowledge of financial management and experience of student unions’ advocacy work.
– Choosing Sandra Österlund as substitute Secretary General was based on her good leadership skills and extensive knowledge of the Student Union. The Presidium and the Student Union Council look forward to working with Österlund, says Viitamäki.
Österlund is very grateful for the Student Union Council’s confidence in her as Secretary General, and at the same time, she feels inspired to together with the Board and the Student Union Council to create positive and meaningful experiences for both those who work at ÅAS and the members of the Student Union.
– Being able to lead and contribute to the success of the organisation will be an exciting challenge and a valuable experience. I look forward to working together with the elected representatives and continuing the work together with ÅAS’ knowledgeable staff!” says Österlund about her new position.
For more information
Kajsa Viitamäki
Chair of the Student Union Council
Åbo Akademis Studentkår
fo@studentkaren.fi
+358 50 356 4611
ÅAS is now looking for a Secretary General for a temporary parental leave position from 1 February 2024, or as agreed. The location of the position is Åbo. The duration of the position is approximately one year.
Please note that in order to apply for the job, you need to be proficient in Swedish as the Student Union’s official operative language is Swedish.
You can find more information about the position in the news article in Swedish.