It’s time to celebrate – May Day is here!
It’s time to start celebrating, May Day is here! This year, May Day at Vårdberget celebrates 100 years. This has made May Day history an interesting subject. 100 years ago, students decided to move their May Day celebration from Kuppisparken to Vårdberget. Before that, people had only gathered at Vårdberget at dawn on the first of May to dance ring dances. What they couldn’t have known then was how this change would lay the foundation for a tradition that would last a century. Because in 1925, May Day at Vårdberget was also celebrated with singing, speeches and putting on student caps.
Over the years, there have been different variations of May Day celebrations, but a strong core of Vårdberget, speeches and choir singing has always been central. Although the biggest traditions have looked pretty much the same for several years, you can see that there has been, and still is, room for change, development and, most importantly, room for the present in the centennial celebration.
Regardless of how the celebration has looked throughout the years, one thing has remained constant: people coming together in joy and community. This is the spirit I hope we can carry with us this year too, regardless of whether you celebrate May Day at Vårdberget, in Vasa or somewhere else entirely.
The tradition is carried forward over time and it’s all of you who make the celebration. Thank you for celebrating with us and at the same time keeping the tradition alive!
Melina Lindholm
The Student Union of ÅAU
Record Number of Nominations for “Roses to the ÅAU staff” – Language Teachers Stand Out
This year, the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University received a record 131 nominations for the traditional “Roses to the ÅAU staff” diplomas. The large number of nominations reflects the strong commitment, time, and energy that many members of Åbo Akademi’s staff devote to their teaching – something the students clearly wanted to recognize.
A particularly high number of this year’s nominations went to the university’s language teachers – a group that stands out for their ability to transform otherwise demanding subjects into something students genuinely look forward to. The nominations highlight not only their pedagogical skills, but also the way they create joy in learning through warmth, understanding, and presence. Their respectful and patient approach to each student has been a key reason why many of them were nominated.
Students had the opportunity to submit nominations along with a short motivation, which the ÅAS board carefully reviewed when selecting this year’s recipients. Common themes across the nominations included the teachers’ attentiveness, flexibility, and their deep understanding of students’ varying needs, both academic and personal. The ability to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment was repeatedly mentioned as a central reason for receiving a rose.
This year, ÅAS has chosen to award 15 roses, as a recognition of the meaningful contributions these individuals make to the student experience. This marks the 30th consecutive year that the Student Union has honored Åbo Akademi University’s staff members with roses.
From left to right: Melina Lindholm, Svea Välimäki, Malin Johansson, Niko Sandberg, Katarina Ohls-Ahlskog, Emilia Melén, Sofie Lehtovaara.
This year’s recipients are:
Åbo:
Malin Johansson, University Teacher in German
Marjaana Laaksonen, University Teacher in Spanish
Katarina Ohls-Ahlskog, University Teacher in French
Harriet Klåvus, Head of International Affairs
Pia Roos-Mattjus, Senior University Lecturer in Molecular Biology
Martin Gustafsson, Professor of Philosophy
Lotta Collin, Senior University Lecturer in Swedish
Jenny Isaksson, University Lecturer in Biochemistry
Albert Weckman, Doctoral Researcher
Vasa:
Alex Mäkiharju, University Teacher in Education
Katie Fagerström, International Coordinator
Jonas Sandberg, Study Advisor
Christel Björkstrand, Lecturer in English
Other:
Mary Henriksson, Staff at Kårkafé Asa – for the idea behind the Ramen Bowl
Questions can be directed to:
Emilia Melén
Chair of the Board
The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University
+358 50 401 3524
so@studentkaren.fi
Sunday, April 13, is Election Day – and not just one election, but two!
Both the municipal election and the county election will be held on the same day this year, meaning you have the opportunity to influence two important parts of your student city – at the same time. Understandably, this can feel confusing, so I have summarized the two elections below.
The Municipal Election
The municipal election is about your local environment. When we vote, we elect representatives to the municipal council, which governs the municipality’s activities and finances. They make decisions about everything from schools and libraries to public transport, roads, and sports facilities. If you care about how your city functions and develops, this is your chance to make a difference!
The County Election
The county election might feel a bit more abstract, but it is just as important. In this election, we elect representatives to the county council, which makes decisions about, among other things, healthcare centers, hospitals, elderly care, and fire services – essential services that affect us all.
How do you know who to vote for?
Choosing a candidate can feel difficult, but there are great tools to help! I recommend YLE’s election compass. By filling it out, you can easily find out which candidates share your opinions. It’s quick, convenient, and gives you a good overview of where different candidates stand.
In addition, ÅAS will host an election panel at Åbo Svenska Teater on March 25. By attending, you will hear what some of the candidates in Åbo have to say about issues that are particularly important to students. This is a great opportunity to gain insight into the election and ask candidates your questions!
If you cannot vote on Election Day, April 13, you can vote in advance between April 2 and 8 in Finland, or April 2 and 5 if you are abroad. You can find more information about where to vote and your voting rights here.
Your vote shapes Åbo’s future
Åbo is a student city full of life, ideas, and future decision-makers – meaning us, the students! Housing, public transport, healthcare, and study environments are just a few of the issues affected by these elections. By voting, we ensure that students’ needs are seen and heard in decision-making. Find out which candidates represent your values and make sure your voice is heard!
Jennifer Lindgren
Executive Board Member, Social policy
The Student Union of ÅAU
ÅAS is looking for two people to complete the Executive Board for 2025. The two people we are looking for will be members of the Executive Board working from Vasa. The new Board members will be elected by the Student Union Council.
Have you thought about how you can work for a better student life? Would you like to organize events, create new student traditions, and maintain old ones? Do you want to influence what teaching will look like in the future, both within Åbo Akademi University and nationally? Do you have a graphic eye and are interested in creating content for social media? Or maybe you want to be involved in creating contacts with business and working life? But above all, do you want to have an extremely fun and educational year?
Then the union board is definitely something for you! The assignment provides a monthly renumeration of €650 for Board members. The Board is expected to be able to work during office hours and occasionally participate in evening and weekend events. The board works in close cooperation with ÅAS staff.
Please note that ÅAS uses Swedish as the working language. Applicants should have good knowledge of Swedish and other language skills are considered a merit.
Do something new and different – apply for the ÅAS Executive Board 2025!
The following positions and responsibilities are available:
Advocacy
- Study-related matters within Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) Vasa (Advocacy regarding studies, campus development, Student representatives)
- Local social policy matters (Student finances in Vasa, Well-being of students in Vasa, Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS)
Communication
- Communication (Coordinate the board’s communication)
- Business cooperation (Cooperation agreements and non-contractual cooperation)
- Urban relations (Contact to the City of Vasa, Cooperation with other student unions in Vasa)
Student culture Vasa
- Development and safeguarding of student life (Education for students and associations, Project funding)
- Events in Vasa
- Special associations (Special association funds)
- Inclusion (Safer Space Principles, Action Plan for a Safer Study Culture, Guidelines for Contact Persons)
The Board divides the various areas of responsibility internally.
Please note that the Executive Board for 2025 will have their inaugural meeting during 2024 and divide the areas of responsibility. The areas of responsibility available to the two new Board members is therefore dependent on what is decided during the Board meeting.
How does the board election work?
Send a free-form expression of interest by email to Chair of the Board Jonne Kunnas (so@studentkaren.fi). We must have received your application by 19.12 at 14.00 by the latest.
Your expression of interest should preferably include:
- Name
- Image
- Brief description of yourself
- Why you’re running
- Which areas of responsibility you are interested in
The Student Council will elect the Student Union Executive Board 2025.
If we recieve more than two applications, an evening school to interview the candidates will be organized, and the applicants will recieve more information.
The applicants for the Board will answer six questions, of which four are available on our webpage (in Swedish) and two will remain surprise questions.
Questions? Please contact us
We are happy to answer questions and we hope to see your application in our inboxes! You are also free to visit our office in Havtornen and Kåren.
We have now opened the application period for the Student Union’s Financial Board!
For more information, read the news article in Swedish, or contact Jan (hopo-vasa@studentkaren.fi), Amanda (samarbete@studentkaren.fi) or Samuel (edo@studentkaren.fi)
N.B. In order to apply, you need to be proficient in Swedish as the Student Union’s official language is Swedish. For the time being, ÅAS is unfortunately unable to translate all the operations to English.
The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University is looking for a new Board for 2025, which exercises the administrative and executive powers of the Student Union, and the new Board will be elected by the Student Council on 28.11.2024.
Have you thought about how you can work for a better student life? Would you like to organize events, create new student traditions, and maintain old ones? Do you want to influence what teaching will look like in the future, both within Åbo Akademi University and nationally? Do you have a graphic eye and are interested in creating content for social media? Or maybe you want to be involved in creating contacts with business and working life? But above all, do you want to have an extremely fun and educational year?
Then the union board is definitely something for you! The assignment provides a monthly renumeration of €750 for the Chairperson of the Board and €650 for Board members. The Board is expected to be able to work during office hours and occasionally participate in evening and weekend events. The board works in close cooperation with ÅAS staff.
Please note that ÅAS uses Swedish as the working language. Applicants should have good knowledge of Swedish and other language skills are considered a merit.
Do something new and different – apply for the ÅAS Executive Board 2025!
Composition of the Executive Board for 2025
A Chairperson and eight members (one of whom also serves as Vice Chairperson)
Five Board Members in Åbo with the following positions and responsibilities:
Higher education policy
- National higher education policy matters (National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL), Ministry of Education and Culture (Ministry of Education and Culture))
- Study-related matters within Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) Åbo (Advocacy regarding studies, campus development, Student representatives)
Social policy
- National social policy matters (Student finances)
- Sustainability in ÅAS and student life
- Well-being of students (Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS))
- Equality between students
International affairs
- International affairs at ÅAU, Åbo&Vasa (Challenge-driven Accessible Research-Based and Mobile European University Alliance (CHARM-EU), International study programmes, International students, Exchange studies)
- International higher education policy affairs (University Alliances, European Union (EU))
Communication
- Communication (Coordinate the board’s communication)
- Business cooperation (Cooperation agreements and non-contractual cooperation)
- City Relations, Åbo (Contact to City of Turku, Study in Turku)
Student culture
- Development and safeguarding of student life (Education for students and associations, Project funding)
- Events in Åbo
- Special associations (Special association funds)
- Inclusion (Safer Space Principles, Action Plan for a Safer Study Culture, Guidelines for Contact Persons)
Three Board Members in Vasa with the following positions and responsibilities
Advocacy
- Study-related matters within Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) Vasa (Advocacy regarding studies, campus development, Student representatives)
- Local social policy matters (Student finances in Vasa, Well-being of students in Vasa, Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS))
Communication
- Communication (Coordinate the board’s communication)
- Business cooperation (Cooperation agreements and non-contractual cooperation)
- Urban relations (Contact to the City of Vasa, Cooperation with other student unions in Vasa)
Student culture Vasa
- Development and safeguarding of student life (Education for students and associations, Project funding)
- Events in Vasa
- Special associations (Special association funds)
- Inclusion (Safer Space Principles, Action Plan for a Safer Study Culture, Guidelines for Contact Persons)
The Board divides the various areas of responsibility internally at its inaugural meeting.
Information for candidates
Send a free-form expression of interest by email to Jan (hopo-vasa@studentkaren.fi) or Amanda (samarbete@studentkaren.fi). All applications received by Monday 25.11 will be published on our website on Tuesday 26.11. You can submit an expression of interest after 25.11, but then it will not be published on the website. In order to participate in the interview, your application must be submitted by 27.11. However, you can still stand until the start of the autumn meeting on 28.11.
Your expression of interest should preferably include:
- Name
- Image
- Brief description of yourself
- Why you’re running
- Which areas of responsibility you are interested in
How does the board election work?
The Student Council will elect the Student Union Executive Board 2025 at its meeting on 28.11.
All candidates will be interviewed at the council’s evening school on 27.11.
During the interviews, the candidates for the chairperson will answer seven questions. We will publish five of the questions online in advance on 26.11.
The candidates for the Board Members will answer six questions, four of which will also be published in advance on our website on 26.11.
Questions? Please contact us
We are happy to answer questions and we hope to see your application in our inboxes! You are also free to visit our office in Havtornen and Kåren.
Contact person in Vasa
Jan Welroos, hopo-vasa@studentkaren.fi
Contact person in Åbo
Amanda Byskata, samarbete@studentkaren.fi
Today, 24 October, we celebrate the Day for Free Education. Education is for everyone, regardless of socio-economic background or other factors. This year we want to bring attention to this by asking the question “Would you be able to pay for your child’s education?”.
It is not news that it has become much more expensive to study and live in Finland. For many, balancing studies, work and free time is a large economic burden and many worry about their finances daily. Many choose to work alongside their studies and/ or take loans to finance their everyday lives, but at the same time more and more people worry about if they will be able to pay back their loans.
Imagine a future where you have barely managed to finance your own studies. You have a job but also must pay back your student loan. At the same time, you might be thinking of buying or renting a place to live and you also need to buy the things you need in everyday life. Aside from this, you might have other loans and expenses, such as a car and insurance. Would you then in addition be able to save tens of thousands of euros for your child’s education?
This situation is already common in other countries. We have long been proud of our free education in Finland and have seen it as a sign of equality in society and an opportunity for social mobility. However, we are moving more and more towards a reality where education is not in fact free. The rounds of cuts and the introduction of tuition fees have been relevant this year and continue to be discussed.
Not all careers are guaranteed job opportunities right after graduation and many are also not the highest paid. This creates a situation where you, already during your studies, are forced to consider your future and the possibility of creating a family and life. Today we have about 118 900 children in Finland that live in low-income families. What does it mean for equality in society and for social mobility if none of them have access to higher education due to financial reasons?
We want to bring attention to the importance of competency in society and everyone’s right to study and work with what they are interested in. Studies and future working life must not depend on your parents’ finances. On the Day for Free Education, we therefore encourage everyone to take a moment and think about the role of higher education in Finland, and to rejoice in all that free education means. A strong society with economic growth and social security starts with having educated and competent citizens. It is therefore imperative that we continue to cherish our free education and all the good it means for our future.
Amanda Byskata
The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University
On 15 February, the Student Union’s 106th annual ball is organized in Vasa! To organize the annual ball we require an Annual Ball Committee and the Annual Ball Coordinator is currently looking for members.
The Annual Ball committee’s work is lead by the Annual Ball Coordinator, and is tasked with organizing the annual ball. No previous experience is required, only an interest for and a willingness to organize thye annual ball. Join the committee and learn how to organize large events!
If you are interested, please send an application to the Annual Ball Coordinator Herman Björk, the address is arsfest@studentkaren.fi. Deadline for applications is Monday 14.10 at 11.59 p.m.
The SYL General Assembly is organized 15–16.11. The General Assembly is an excellent opportunity to familiarize yourself the Finnish student movement and influence what SYL will be working on during next year. During the General Assembly, ÅAS is represented by a delegation consisting of six delegates and their substitutes.
The General Assembly is two days. The meeting itself is divided between the two days, so half the agenda is treated during the first day and the other half during the second day. In the evening of the first day, working groups deal with more specific topics, which are then brought up the following day. At the same time as you register to the General Assembly you also register to the working group you fin most interesting.
During the meeting itself the action plan and budget for SYL for next year are discussed. It is also during the meeting that the board of SYL for next year is elected. The member organisations (the student unions) have ususally gone through the materials and given comments and suggestions before the meeting. During the meeting, the materials are processed and the participants vote on the final version.
Aside from the meeting there is typically also a political debate, where participants can talk about different topics relating to the student movement. There are also often guests invited that give greetings from organisations. Other programs may be included, for example voluntary evening events for those who are interested.
The delegate’s task during the General Assembly is to follow the meeting and vote on different topics. It does not require anything extra and they are free to cast their vote as they believe best. The group from ÅAS will typically actively discuss before and during the meeting to help the delegates understand what the topic is sbout.
The substitute’s task is to be available during the meeting to replace a delegate if they cannot be present during for example votings.
According to the Student Union’s instructions, the Student Council elects the representatives the the SYL General Assembly. The Student Council has elected the delegates and the Executive Board has been charged with finding substitutes. If you are interested in participating and representing ÅAS as a substitute, please send an application to so@studentkaren.fi by 9.10 at 4 p.m. at the latest. The Executive Board will then make the decision during their meeting.
The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University criticizes the Orpo government’s proposal to the Finnish Parliament to change the laws regarding financial aid for students, and general housing allowance.
The proposal includes actions that weaken the students’ economic situation and mental health.
The general housing allowance is one of the biggest sources of income for students. The proposal to move students to a new system, which includes a housing bonus to the study grant, weakens the students’ economy drastically. When a student constantly must worry about the economy, it affects their academic progress directly, whether it’s through more work that needs to be done, or worse motivation to study caused by mental illness. This contradicts the government’s goal for a higher number of students that graduate from higher education institutions. Since it’s been suggested that the housing supplement will be connected to the financial aid for students, this means that a student will not get any sort of housing allowance during the summer months, with the only exception being completing courses during the summer. The rent still needs to be paid during the summer, and it cannot be assumed that every student can support themselves via a job or other support. In this case, students first need to take student loans, then social assistance. A student will be in more debt than ever before.
The housing markets in Åbo and Vasa are difficult. The Student Village foundations TYS and VOAS are both at a maximum usage rate, and the queues are extremely long. The private market is also difficult, since there are few apartments available, and the rent is record high. It is not possible for students to move to cheaper apartments. The number of shared housing apartments is lower than before, and the number of studio apartments has risen.
The government’s proposal would change the current financial aid for students’ system to a more loan-based system. The proposal would also not guarantee that students would survive without any financial aid during the summer months. This leads to an increase in the need for social assistance. Calculations of aid that’s being cut down show that 19 000 students will be forced to apply for social assistance. These calculations do not reflect the reality since it is not possible for every student to move to cheaper apartments. That’s why the number of students that must resort to social assistance will exceed the amount presented in the proposal.