Kategoriat
It’s time for the International Students’ Survey! Your answers provide valuable information as to how ÅAS can improve and develop – and by answering the survey you also get a chance to win a 15€ gift card!
In this survey, you can share your thoughts on how you have experienced both your studies and also your student life outside of them! The point of this survey is to hear your thoughts on how we could improve YOUR student life. There are leading questions where you have the possibility to elaborate on your experiences or thoughts – all of which are very important to us.
Your answers provide valuable information as to how we, the Student Union, can improve and develop!
As a part of the survey, we are raffling off 5 gift cards to the K-stores, worth 15€ each. To participate in the raffle, just leave your abo-email address at the end of the survey. Your answers will remain anonymous, even if you choose to participate in the raffle!
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.
My name is Svea, and this year I’ve had the chance to be Vice Chair of ÅAS, as well as being responsible for Communication and Business Collaboration in Åbo. When I applied to the Board, I knew I wanted to do work that was both creative and varied, which is exactly what this opportunity has given me!
What does it mean to be Vice Chair?
The Vice Chair is a subsidiary position that is elected at the same time as the rest of the Board. The role can be held by any of the regular Members of the Board, either in Åbo or Vasa. As Vice Chair, I’ve worked to support the Chair in various tasks and stepped in whenever the Chair has been absent. For me, the work has mainly involved keeping a good overview of what the Chair is doing, so I can seamlessly take over if needed. The position therefore requires the ability to work under time pressure, take responsibility, and provide leadership when necessary.
What does it mean to be responsible for Communication and Business Collaboration?
As the person in charge of communication in Åbo, I’ve had overall responsibility for ÅAS’ external communication for the Board. I work closely with ÅAS’ Communications Specialist and the Communications Board Member in Vasa; together, we plan and produce material for ÅAS’ social media channels.
A large part of my work this year has involved creating different social media campaigns. During the spring, for example, these included ÅAS’ campaign for Wappen 100 (May Day 100 years) and content for social media ahead of the municipal and county elections, aimed at increasing student voter turnout. In the autumn, my main responsibility has been the “Meaningful Membership” campaign, which aims to clarify and explain what ÅAS actually does, so that the student union members know what their student union fee goes toward.
This is a constantly evolving position, influenced by what’s happening in student life and in the world around us. Much of the work is done in Canva, so it’s helpful if you’re somewhat familiar with the program, but it’s not a requirement. The most important thing is that you enjoy creating, planning, and working creatively! Being responsible for ÅAS’ communication means expressing yourself both visually and in writing, while also thinking about how ÅAS can best reach its members.
In addition to communication, I’ve also been responsible for business collaboration. This mainly involves maintaining contact with ÅAS’ various partners and working to expand our collaborations. Over the year, I’ve focused on updating our collaboration packages so that ÅAS can more easily establish new partnerships in the future.
Business Collaboration, as part of my role, has allowed me to use both my social and creative sides, while gaining insight into how collaborations work within larger organisations. It’s a perfect area for anyone interested in communication and networking, who also enjoys taking initiative and starting new projects.
Why apply?
Serving on the Board has been challenging, but above all, incredibly rewarding. If you’re interested in media, communication, or marketing, and want to gain hands-on experience for your future career, this is the perfect position for you!
Take the chance and apply! <3
Svea Välimäki
Vice Chair – Responsible for Communication and Business Collaboration
The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University
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
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
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