Statement: Students have the right to know what is happening at their university
News — 18.2.2025
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.