The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University Elects Board for 2026 – Svea Välimäki chosen as Chair of the Board   

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. 

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For more information, please contact  
Veera Gustafsson  
Secretary General, The Student Union of ÅAU  
gs@studentkaren.fi  
tel. 02 215 4652