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Do you want to make sure students’ voices are heard? Apply for the ÅAS Board 2026!

News — 23.10.2025

The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University (ÅAS) is now looking for its Board for 2026. The Board is the Student Union’s executive body and works daily to advocate for students’ interests. The new Board will be elected by the Student Union Council on 27 November, 2025.

To apply for a position in the Board you need to know Swedish quite well. The administrative language of the Student Union is Swedish.

Why join the Board?

Do you want to make sure students’ voices are heard both at the university and on a national level? Do you want to improve students’ everyday life? Would you like to take on a leading role in a larger organisation and gain valuable experience for your future career? If you care about student life and want to learn new things, apply for the Board! All it takes is curiosity and a genuine interest in supporting other students.

Board members receive a compensation for their work, and the compensation will be increased for the 2026 term. In 2026, the Chair of the Board will receive 1,000€ per month for 11 months, and Board members will receive 800€ per month for 9 months.

Members of the Board are expected to be available during office hours and to take part in evening and weekend events. The Board works in cooperation with the Student Union staff.

Please note that ÅAS uses Swedish as its working language. Applicants should have a good knowledge of Swedish; other language skills will be seen as a strength.

Composition of the Board in 2026

  • One Chair of the Board, elected in Vasa or Åbo.
  • Seven Members of the Board, one of whom also serves as Vice Chair.
  • One Member of the Board responsible for Social Policy (elected regardless of campus).
    • Social Policy (National and international social policy matters, student finances, sustainability within ÅAS and student life, student wellbeing, and equality among students.)

Three Members of the Board in Åbo with the following areas of responsibility

  • Higher Education Policy & International Affairs (national higher education policy, study-related matters within Åbo Akademi University (ÅA), international affairs at ÅA)
  • Communications (the Board’s communications, corporate collaboration, city relations)
  • Student Culture (development and safeguarding of student life, student traditions in Åbo, ÅAS’ associations, inclusion)

Three Members of the Board in Vasa with the following areas of responsibility

  • Student Culture (development and safeguarding of student life, student traditions in Vasa, ÅAS’ associations, inclusion, city relations)
  • Higher Education Policy & International Affairs (national higher education policy, study-related matters within Åbo Akademi University (ÅA), international affairs at ÅA)

Hur kommer ansvarsområdena att delas upp?

The Board distributes its areas of responsibility internally at its constitutive meeting, except for the Chair, the Vice Chair, and the Member responsible for Social Policy, these positions are elected directly by the Student Union Council on November 27.

Blog series from the 2025 Board

The 2025 Board will publish blog posts with a closer look at the different areas of responsibility and what they mean in practice. Links to these posts will be added here as they are published.

Information for applicants

If this sounds like something for you, send a freely written expression of interest by email to Angelica Loo or Emilia Melén.

All applications received by Monday 24 November, will be published on our website the following day. You can still apply after 24 November, but your application will not be published online.

To be interviewed, your application must be submitted no later than 26 November.
However, it is still possible to stand as a candidate until the start of the Student Union Council’s meeting on 27 November.

Your application should preferably include:

  • Name
  • Photo
  • A short description of yourself
  • Why you are applying
  • Which areas of responsibility you are interested in

How does the election work?

  • The Representative Council elects the ÅAS Board 2026 at its meeting on 27 November.
  • All candidates are interviewed at the Council’s evening session on 26 November.
  • Candidates for Chair will answer seven questions, five of which will be published on the website on 25 November. Board member candidates will answer six questions, four of which will also be published in advance on 25 November.

Do you have questions? Contact us!

We’re happy to answer any questions and look forward to receiving your application! You’re also very welcome to drop by the Student Union office in Havtornen or Kåren. The 2025 Members of the Board are also happy to share their experiences of working in the Student Union.

Contact person in Vasa
Angelica Loo
angelica.loo@abo.fi

Contact person in Åbo
Emilia Melén
so@studentkaren.fi