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Every year, the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University celebrates its annual ball on the weekend closest to 18 February, which is the birthday of the university’s founder Per Brahe. The annual ball of 2026 will be celebrated on 21 February in Åbo.
The Annual Ball Coordinator works closely with the Student Union’s Board and staff to coordinate the preparations for the annual ball.
The Board of the Student Union has announced on its meeting 14/25 the position of Annual Ball Coordinator as vacant. Furthermore, the Board has determined a remuneration of 500 euros for the elected coordinator. The coordinator will be elected by the Board on 2 October. Together with the board the coordinator will choose members to the committee.
If you became interested, please send your application to Board member Melina Lindholm evenemang-abo@studentkaren.fi
The deadline for applications is 26 September at 11.59 p.m.
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.
Scholarships are offered from the Agneta and Carl-Erik Olin Fund to individuals pursuing a licentiate or doctoral degree at Åbo Akademi University, who have been regular members or senior members of the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University. Applicants are expected to have held positions within the Student Union and/or its student associations. The fund is owned and maintained by the Åbo Akademi University Foundation.
The scholarship is awarded to one or more individuals for a total period of 18 months, with a monthly stipend of 2400 euros. Scholarship recipients are expected to engage in full-time research and produce a research report.
The application is in free-form, but should include:
- A curriculum vitae/ resume detailing the applicant’s activities within the student union and its special associations.
- A research plan prepared by the applicant, outlining the purpose of the research, materials, theoretical framework, working hypotheses, methodological approach, as well as any travel plans or need for laboratory facilities. The research plan should be condensed to one page.
- Information about any other funding applied for or received for the same purpose, as well as the number of scholarship months being sought.
- A statement from the supervisor, which should be sent directly to the General Secretary of the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University, Veera Granroth (gs@studentkaren.fi).
Applications should be submitted to the Senior Council of the Student Union of Åbo Akademi no later than May 15, 2025, at 3.00 p.m. Applications are to be submitted via electronic form, which can be found here. The supervisor’s statement should be sent directly to the General Secretary of the Student Union via email.
Decisions regarding scholarship distribution will be communicated in early June. Scholarship recipients are required to report on the use of the scholarship to the Senior Council no later than two months after the end of the scholarship period.
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
The Rector of Åbo Akademi University, Mikael Lindfelt, announced today, April 4, 2025, that he will resign from his position as Rector of Åbo Akademi University.
Regardless of changes in Åbo Akademi University’s management, the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University will continue to advocate for students’ interests. Our current goal is open and transparent communication from the university’s management to its students.
We already have good contact with Acting Rector Gunilla Widén and hope to work together to ensure that students are heard in the process of shaping the future of Åbo Akademi.
To rebuild the trust that has been damaged during the restructuring and transformation process, clear communication is key. Students have the right to know what is happening at their university.
Students should not have to feel anxious about how the restructuring may affect them or their studies. Students need peace of mind to study, and staff need peace of mind to work.
The Student Union of ÅAU thanks Mikael Lindfelt for his work over the past years as Rector.
For more information:
Emilia Melén
Chair of the Board
The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University
+358 50 401 3524
The Tore and Herdis Modeen Foundation provides one or more travel grants for members of the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University who wish to improve their knowledge of French or German without being language students.
The Modeens wanted to encourage students to go abroad to learn languages and culture alongside their studies and therefore wanted to create opportunities for stays abroad.
The amount of the scholarship is 5000 € and can be awarded to one or more members of the student union.
Who is eligible?
The scholarship is aimed at members of the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University and can be used for, among other things, the following:
- exchange studies (excluding language students)
- internship abroad
- student exchange
- study visits
- all activities related to the applicant’s studies that can be expected to improve the applicant’s language skills in the language in question.
Associations cannot apply for this grant. Students majoring in German or French cannot apply for the grant and students majoring in other languages will not be given priority. However, minor studies in languages are considered as a merit.
The travel grant can be used, for example, to cover the costs of travel, accommodation, tuition fees for participation in language courses or excursions, but not for meals or daily allowances.
Apply for the Modeen travel grant
Applications are made using the following form. The deadline for applications is 30 March 2025 at 11.59 p.m. The applicant should attach a free-form application, a description of the trip, the purpose of the trip and the budget to the application by the deadline.
The grant received will be reported within 12 months. If the report is not received by the deadline, you cannot apply again next year and you may have to repay the grant.
Any questions can be addressed to the Secretary General of ÅAS at gs@studentkaren.fi.
Do you want a unique insight into how Åbo Akademi’s decision-making bodies are formed? Now is your chance to make an impact!
As a student representative in the Election Committee at Åbo Akademi, you will take part in organizing the elections of professors, researchers, teachers, other staff, and students to the University Collegium, the Board, and the Faculty Councils. The available position is as a deputy member.
Why apply for the Election Committee?
- You gain insight into how the teaching staff is selected.
- You learn a lot!
- You can enhance your CV and build valuable connections with Åbo Akademi’s staff.
The position is compensated, meaning the student representative receives a fee for each meeting they attend.
Are you even a little bit curious?
Submit your application here by February xx at 11.59 p.m. Note that the committee’s official language is Swedish, so you need to be able to communicate in Swedish. If you have any questions, you can contact the student’s rights expert. Contact details can be found here.
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.