Apply for project coordinator for Fastlaskianen 2026
The Student Union of ÅAU (ÅAS) is looking for a project coordinator to organise the Fastlaskiainen event in Åbo. Fastlaskiainen is a traditional student event held annually on Shrove Tuesday on Vårdberget in Åbo in the form of a sledding competition between various student associations.
To organise the event in the best possible way, ÅAS will hire a coordinator responsible for the arrangements. The coordinator works closely with the ÅAS’ Board, especially with the Board Member responsible for student culture. The project coordinator receives a remuneration of 500 euros, and ÅAS’ Secretary General acts as the coordinator’s supervisor.
The work as project coordinator comes with various tasks
- Coordinating and organizing the entire event
- Program planning and handling registrations
- Planning communication and marketing
- Applying for permits (land lease, notice of a public event to the police and security planning), recruiting supervisors (security, first aid)
- Booking spaces, procuring sound systems
- Arranging cleaning after the event
- Event development and final reporting
- Other tasks as agreed
The role requires initiative, teamwork skills, organszational ability, and stress tolerance. You should proactively contact ÅAS’ Board and staff if you need assistance with your tasks. Previous experience in organising events and knowledge of Finnish, Swedish and English are considered advantages. If you have questions about the tasks, contact Member of the Board Melina Lindholm via evenemang-abo@studentkaren.fi.
Freely formulated applications should be submitted via email by 3 December 2025, at 11.59 p.m. to evenemang-abo@studentkaren.fi. The decision will be made by the Student Union Board at their meeting following 3 December, and the work will begin immediately after the coordinator has been elected.
Press release 14 October 2025
The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University
For immediate release
A new Student Union Council, set to lead the Student Union of ÅAU (ÅAS) during the 2026–2027 term, will be elected in the upcoming Student Union Council Elections. The Election Committee has at its meeting on 10 October verified the candidates in the Student Union Council Election 2025 and drawn candidate numbers. Eight election associations have set a total of 107 candidates in the election. The number of candidates is the highest in twenty years.
“The Election Committee is happy that the interest in running in the election is this large. It is essential that the Student Union has active members who are committed to working for the best interests of their fellow students. We hope that students are active and use their right to vote in November,” says Amanda Byskata, Chair of the Election Committee.
More information on the Student Union Council Election, the election associations, and candidates is available on ÅAS’ website. Voting in the Council Election is done digitally between 3 and 6 November 2025. The list of all candidates running in the election can be found on ÅAS’ website.
For more information, please contact
Veera Gustafsson
Secretary General, The Student Union of ÅAU
gs@studentkaren.fi
tel. 02 215 4652
Press release
26 August 2025
For immediate release
To highlight the role of education in a changing Europe, the student unions at the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University are participating in this year’s Europe Forum.
The theme of the discussion is sustainable education in Europe, and our panel participants will consider how we can work together to organise high-quality, sustainable education that reduces inequality.
In addition to MEP and former Minister of Education Li Andersson, the panel will also include the voices of students and universities.
Education is a cornerstone of the development of a sustainable society, both nationally and internationally. In a free Europe, we can work together to combat inequality and promote democracy and a sustainable society through education.
As student unions, we want to highlight this discussion so that decision-makers, universities and students can work together towards a Europe where everyone has equal opportunities to support the cornerstone of society – education.
The student unions’ discussion will be held in English on Thursday 28 August at 1.30–2.15 p.m. on the Sopukka stage.
For more information, contact
Ellen Ijäs
Students’ Rights Expert, The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University
hs_karen@abo.fi , 02 215 4655
The Service Point at Kåren will be open every day, Monday–Friday from noon to 3 p.m., during the orientation week (25–29 August).
After orientation week, the Service Point will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m.
You can always find the current opening hours on our website: studentkaren.fi.
Kårkaféerna is opening a new restaurant in the heart of Åbo Akademi University’s campus in Åbo.
We are proud to announce that in January 2026, Kårkaféerna will open a new restaurant next to Åbo Akademi University’s new building, Astra, on the campus in Åbo.
Kårkaféerna is delighted to have won this procurement. What makes it even more special is that the new restaurant, Kårkafé Astra, will be located in the same building where Kårkafé Gado operated for almost 50 years.
A meeting place with good food, joy and sustainability
Kårkaféerna looks forward to moving into new, beautiful premises and hopes that Kårkafé Astra will become a natural meeting place for students, staff, and other visitors. Kårkafé Astra will be run with the same commitment to good food, joy, and sustainability that characterises Kårkaféerna’s operations. Much will feel familiar: a diverse lunch selection, home-baked treats, and snacks for everyday breaks. Kårkaféerna will also introduce new concepts at Astra.
– We received three competitive bids, and Kårkaféerna had the best overall offer based on the criteria we had set. Kårkaféerna presented an exciting concept, and I believe the students will be very pleased, says Mats Ekebom, Head of Procurement at Åbo Akademi University.
– I see this win as clear proof of Kårkaféerna’s commitment, professionalism, and passion for food and service. As a growing company with high customer satisfaction in both lunch and catering services, we are ready to take the next step and help create a lively and welcoming environment at Astra, says Susanna Häyry, CEO of The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University and Kårkaféerna.
Astra is being built in the Stjärnan block
Astra is a new university building located in the Stjärnan block in Åbo. It will bring together teaching, research, and support services under one roof and serve as a new hub for Åbo Akademi University’s activities in Åbo. The name “Astra,” Latin for “star,” was chosen through a public naming competition and reflects both the site’s history and its future ambitions. The building is scheduled to be completed in autumn 2025, and Kårkafé Astra will open its doors in January 2026.
In its mid-term policy review session between 22 and 23 April 2025, the Finnish Government decided to give open universities the authority to grant degrees. This would be a huge revolution in Finnish higher education and the end of free education as it currently is. Finland’s 13 university student unions oppose the proposal and demand that the university community stand up against the reform.
Making it possible to complete a degree at an open university would in practice mean paid degree education. Free education is one of the pillars of Finnish society, and undermining it would increase social inequality. This must not be allowed on the pretext of any economic situation.
Open university cannot be turned into a degree shop. The proposal invalidates the large amount of work that has been done to promote student admissions in higher education institutions in recent years. The role of the Open University as an institute that complements degree education and acts as an alternative admission channel must be kept unchanged, i.e. the Open University must not be granted the right to award degrees.
The introduction of a fee-based degree would lead to two levels of degrees that would be valued in different ways. This would jeopardise the equality of education and the provision of high-quality teaching at our universities. At the same time, universities would be forced to develop the teaching offered by the Open University, and with weakening resources, this would come out of the studies offered by the university.
The reform would also bring wicked questions about the status of Open University students. Examples of problems would include student representation in university decision-making, the right to students’ social benefits, and whether the same assessment criteria would be applied to open university students as to those granted the right to study through the joint application process. Student unions find that a situation in which students only have responsibilities and few rights is unsustainable.
Student unions are well aware of the tight financial situation of universities and at the same time the Government is also cutting their basic funding. Free education is a fundamental value that we cannot afford to give up under this pressure to save money. The university community must stand united for free degree education now and in the future.
Signatories
Emilia Melén, Chair of the Board, The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University
Sakari Ropponen, Chair of the Board, Aalto University Student Union
Petra Pulli, Chair of the Board, Student Union of the University of Helsinki
Noora Saramäki, Chair of the Board, The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
Venla Suosalo, Chair of the Board, The Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä
Mariel Tähtivaara, Chair of the Board, The Student Union of the University of Lapland
Katja Immonen, Chair of the Board, The Student Union of LUT university
Vilma Sippola, Chair of the Board, Student Union of University of Oulu
Alma Portin, Chair of the Board, The Student Union of Hanken School of Economics
Anna Kirvesniemi, Chair of the Board, University of the Arts Student Union
Laura Heino, Chair of the Board, Student Union of Tampere University
Josefina Tuomala, Chair of the Board, The Student Union of the University of Turku
Jenni Hiltunen, Chair of the Board, The Student Union of the University of Vaasa
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