What is it like to be responsible for higher educational policy?

As we are now looking for a new Board for 2026, this year’s Board will write short blog posts about their areas of responsibility and tell you a little more about what working in the Board entails.

Hi! Niko here!

This year I have been working with the responsibility for higher education policy, or if we follow the exact description of my position, this year it is “Higher Education Policy (national higher education policy matters, study-related matters within ÅAU).”

Higher education policy is an area of responsibility that always involves something new. It is a role that lives in the moment, especially since it is so closely tied to what Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) does. This year it has been about following up on the new organization at ÅAU and on property-related issues. Even though the year has been shaped by these two major changes, there is always something new just around the corner.

What will the area of responsibility look like next year?

Next year national higher education policy issues and study-related matters within ÅAU will continue to be part of the role, but in addition it will also include responsibility for International Affairs within ÅAU. The area of responsibility is also divided between Turku and Vaasa, which means that you and your counterpart in the other city will share the duties. Major themes next year will include ÅAU’s continued work on its study programs, further development of International Affairs as a natural part of The Student Union’s activities, and following up on ÅAU’s property development.

If you want to read more about what it means to be responsible for international affairs, check out board member Sofie’s blog here.

But what does the person responsible for Higher Educational Policy actually do?

The main thing you will be working with is advocacy. In everyday life advocacy can take many different forms. It can, for example, mean meeting with ÅAU staff in a certain subject to discuss problems with courses, collaborating with other student union actives in Finland on the right to multiple study rights, or talking with special associations about their needs.

Maintaining good contact with students is an important part of the work. Through other students you will hear about current issues and possible problems on campus. The work you do is for the benefit of the students. You will also meet regularly with ÅAU staff, everyone from the Rector to Study Advisors. Meetings are not limited to ÅAU either; during my two years on the board I have also met with several politicians, other student union actives, and various officials. Meetings and encounters, the entire social side of the job, are some of the best parts of the role.

But meetings and encounters are not the only things you will be doing. The everyday work also involves emailing, writing, and planning. A significant part of the working time goes into projects included in the Student Union’s current action plan. For example, that could mean preparing a report on environmentally friendly printing options or on student association spaces at ÅAU. The work is varied and changes every year. Some of the Student Union’s goals are long-term and continue over several years, but in general, the specific tasks change a bit every year.

This is a very brief overview of what a person responsible for higher educational policy does. It is an area of responsibility with plenty of opportunities to make a real impact on students’ everyday lives. The work we do is always by students, for students.

Apply to the board! You will not regret it!

Niko Sandberg
Responsible for Higher Educational Policy
The Student Union of ÅAU