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Self-sufficiency trends, protein maximisation and rising egg prices are behind the decision to buy hens for Kåren’s courtyard.
As part of the refurbishment of Kåren Gården (Kåren’s yard) – or Kården – ÅAS and Kårkaféerna decided to build a chicken coop, inspired by the one that stood on the Kåren’s lot when it was purchased in 1925.
“We felt it was simply an obvious choice! We’ve noticed that it’s both trendy to consume plenty of protein these days, whilst egg shelves in shops are often empty. Furthermore, several students have expressed an interest in helping to look after the hens on the farm,” comments one of the initiative’s representatives.
The project is expected to contribute to both a stronger sense of community and a more sustainable campus life. The plan is for the hens to start supplying fresh eggs to the Kårkaféerna’s restaurants before the summer, and in the long term also to serve as an educational resource for interested students.
Chicken at Kåren’s courtyard in the 1920s. Photo from ÅAS’ archives.
The Student Union traditionally hands out roses to a few in the Åbo Akademi Univeristy’s staff that have a high standard on their education or have otherwise inspired and motivated the students in their studies.
Please, nominate the person that you think deserves a rose! The deadline is March 31. To nominate you simply fill in the form in the link.
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 31 March 2026 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.
Want to influence Åbo Akademi University? Apply to be a student representative on the Council of the Department of Natural and Health Sciences!
The Student Union of ÅAU has student representatives on the Council of the Department of Natural and Health Sciences. One more student is needed for the Council. If you are interested in the position – apply on Friday 6 March, the latest. The meetings are held in Swedish and therefor knowledge in Swedish is required.
More information in this news article’s in Swedish version.
The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University is seeking an Editor-in-Chief for the May Day journal Errores S:tae Valpurgis for 2026. The journal will be released 30.4, this years being the 90th edition.
Editor-in-Chief is in charge of the editorial staff’s work and is responsible for coordinating the making of the journal, such as the economy, the contents of the journal etc. The Student Union chooses the Editor-in-Chief. The editorial staff will be chosen based on the Editor-in-Chief’s suggestions at a later time.
The editorial staff will receive a commission, which amounts to two thirds of the possible economical surplus that the journal will generate.
The Student Union provides an interesting and challenging position in a youthful and creative working environment. Desired abilities for the position as Editor-in-Chief include creativity, stress resilience, diligence, efficiency, being systematic and the ability to cooperate.
Send in your applications to hopo-abo@studentkaren.fi no later than 16 February. For more information, please contact executive Member of the Board Santeri Kylämäki (hopo-abo@studentkaren.fi) or read the regulations for Errores S:tae Valpurgis (in Swedish only).
Please note that this journal is published mainly in Swedish.
The Student Union of ÅAU has hired Johan Berg as the new Students’ Rights Expert.
For just over a week, Johan Berg has been working as Students’ Rights Expert at ÅAS. His duties include issues related to students’ rights, and he is available to support students who experience uncertainties in everyday study. In addition to this, the Students’ Rights Expert monitors academic and social affairs together with the Board. The Students’ Rights Expert is also one of the Student Union’s two harassment contact persons.
“I have extensive experience from Åbo Akademi University, and I look forward using it to purposefully work for the best interests of the students”, says Johan.
More information about the role as Students’ Rights Expert can be found here in this blog.
(Photo: ÅAS’ photo stock/ Mari Frelander)
We are happy to announce that ÅAS service point in Åbo will be located in the new campus building Astra (Porthansgatan 3) on Wednesdays from noon to 3 p.m., starting January 14, 2026!
Come and pick up your academic year sticker for your student card, buy student union merchandise, or ask about associations, student union membership, or anything else that we at ÅAS can help you with.
When you enter Astra through the main entrance, you will find the service point next to a green service desk.
You can also send an email to kansli@studentkaren.fi if you have any questions outside of opening hours.
The Equality Committee of ÅAU consists of members of staff and students at the University. The two student representatives have substitutes in case they cannot attend meetings.
The Equality Committee of ÅAU consists of representatives from staff and students. The committee discusses equality and inclusion from many different perspectives. If you are elected, you get to help influence everything from practical matters on campus to the kind of training staff should receive in principles for safer spaces.
Tasks and responsibilities for the committee:
- Initiate and continuously develop equality, equal treatment and accessibility at ÅAU
- Inform about the equality work, initiatives, development within ÅAU
- Review and issue statements and recommendations at ÅAU from an equality perspective
- Follow up the Equality, equal treatment and accessibility action plans
The committee works in English and Swedish. All materials are translated and the discussions at the meetings are interpreted.
The Student Union seeks people with an interest in matters regarding equality and accessibility. The Student Union Board will elect the representatives. There are two student representatives with substitutes, so four students are elected.
Apply via this form. The deadline is Tuesday, 20.1.2026 at 3 pm.
Contact regarding the assignment and the election of the representative: the Students’ Rights Expert, hs_karen@abo.fi
From left to right: Emilie Jäntti, Anton Gröning, Svea Välimäki, René Närhi, Lina Kronström, Emilia Melén, Karin Holmberg och Santeri Kylämäki.
Press release 26 November 2025
The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University
For immediate release
The newly elected Representative Council of Åbo Akademi Student Union has today selected the board and presidium for the 2026 term. In the coming year, the Student Union’s activities will be led by a Chair of the Board who aims to strengthen advocacy work on both campuses as well as a Chair of the Student Union Council focused on making the council’s work more visible and increase interest in positions of trust.
At its inaugural meeting on Thursday 27 November 2025, the Student Union Council elected the Board and Council Presidium for the year 2026. In addition, a Vice Chair and two expert members were appointed to ÅAS’s Financial Board.
Svea Välimäki, elected as Chair of the Board for the coming year, is studying English at Åbo Akademi University. Välimäki has previously served as Vice Chair of ÅAS’s board and has been active in several associations in Turku. As Chair of the Board, Välimäki aims to strengthen the Student Union’s advocacy and clearly communicate to students how they can influence their university.
– I want to strengthen the Student Union’s visibility and advocacy on both our campuses and continue clarifying the Union’s role as the shared voice for all students. My hope is that every member feels secure knowing we are advocating for their interests. I want to maintain an ongoing dialogue with ÅA’s leadership and staff to convey students’ questions, needs, and concerns. Students’ voices should not only be heard, they should be taken seriously and influence decisions, says Välimäki.
Lina Kronström was elected Vice Chair of the board. Anton Gröning, Santeri Kylämäki, and Karin Holmberg were elected as board members. The council decided to extend the application period for the two remaining board positions, hoping to find interested candidates from Vaasa.
New Student Council Chairperson Aims to Highlight the Council’s Work
Emilia Melén, De Rättvisa, who served as Chair of the Board during 2025, was elected as the Chair of the Student Union Council.
-I’m really looking forward to the coming year, and it will be fun to get to know everyone in the new council. Next year, I want to focus on making the council’s work more visible and bringing the Student Union’s activities closer to its members. At the same time, I want to increase interest in taking on positions of trust by more clearly showcasing the work of the council and elected representatives. Thank you for your trust, I’ll do my best!
The rest of the presidium consists of First Vice Chair René Närhi (Gemensamma Vasa) and Emilie Jäntti (Liberala Studerande).
The Financial Board has a new Vice Chair.
Minna Ingi was elected vice chair of the Financial Board. Jarkko Kaplin and Riina Forsman will continue as expert members of the Financial Board which manages the Student Union’s properties and investments.
For more information, please contact
Veera Gustafsson
Secretary General, The Student Union of ÅAU
gs@studentkaren.fi
tel. 02 215 4652
On 21 February, the Student Union’s 107th Annual Ball is organised in Åbo! To be able to organise the Annual Ball we require an Annual Ball Committee, and we are now looking for members to it.
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 and willingness to organise the Ball. Join the committee and learn how to organise large events!
If you are interested, please send an application to the Annual Ball Coordinator Sofie Lehtovaara by e-mail to: sofie.lehtovaara@abo.fi. Submit your application no later than 24 November at 11.59 p.m.