What does it mean to be the Vice Chair or responsible for Communication and Business Collaboration at ÅAS?

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