The Student Union of ÅAU condemns the government’s planned cuts in students’ livelihoods

Statement 22 September 2023

Students have since 20 September occupied Aurum building in Åbo in protest against the Finnish government’s cuts. The Student Union of ÅAU (ÅAS) supports the demonstration and shares the concern with the demonstrators.

The budget negotiations and the planned cuts are causing concern among students. The demonstrations in the campus buildings in Åbo and other cities in Finland are clear examples of that. Cuts in housing allowance and the index freeze of study grants have major consequences for students’ finances, well-being and pace of study. The government’s plans affect both domestic and international students. ÅAS shares the concern with the demonstrators about the current development in society and supports the demonstration. ÅAS and the rest of the student movement have lobbied for the same issues and continues to do it.

The Student Union appreciates the support shown by the principals Mikael Lindfelt (ÅAU) and Jukka Kola (UTU) to the demonstration and the issue as a whole.

Nicolina Nordman
Chair of the Board