Apply to become HYY’s candidate for SYL Board for 2027

What is the National Union of University Students in Finland?

The National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) is a student organisation that represents around 140,000 university students in Finland. The primary language of the union’s documents is Finnish.

SYL looks after students’ interests in matters concerning students at both national and EU level. The main areas of its advocacy work are educational policy, social policy and international affairs. In addition to this, the union handles matters related to student cards and student discounts through ownership steering as well as provides guidance and training for its member organisations.

How do I become HYY’s candidate?

HYY will decide on the potential nomination of candidates for SYL Board in the Representative Council’s meeting held on 10 September 2026.

A proposal on the nomination will be prepared by a working group established by the Board and consisting of representatives of the Representative Council groups. The working group is requesting all interested individuals to send a free-form one-page motivation letter along with a one-page CV to hallinto@hyy.fi by 11.59 pm on 11 August. The application can be submitted in Finnish, Swedish or English.

The working group will invite the candidates it deems most suitable for an interview. Interview invitations will be sent out no later than 21 August 2026. The interviews will be held on the evening of 24 August (and possibly on 25 August). The interview will be held in Finnish, Swedish or English.

The preparation process will adhere to the steering memorandum on national unions approved by the Representative Council. The memorandum also features guidelines on the method of selecting HYY’s candidates for SYL Board. The working group may select the number of candidates to nominate in a manner of its own choosing in order to maximise the likelihood of getting HYY’s candidates selected at the general assembly.

Our requirements for applicants are as follows:

• They must hold the right to complete a degree at the University of Helsinki at the time of selection.
• They must be motivated to conduct societal advocacy work and action.
• They must have the ability to collaborate with different people and actors.

The following are considered as advantages:

• Familiarity with the SYL’s field of operation and the student movement as well as experience with the Student Union.
• Diverse networks in society.
• Advocacy work experience and understanding of politics.
• Good command of Finnish, Swedish and English.

We hope that you will share any preferences you may have regarding your role on SYL Board, as well as your views on the union’s operations and its development, and on strengthening the relationship between SYL and HYY.

Further information

Maria Djakonowsky
HYY’s 1st vice chair and chair of the working group
mariadjakonowsky@gmail.com

HYY emphasises diversity and equality in its operations. We hope to attract as large a group as possible of applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to building a diverse community and to applying the principle of positive action in our recruitment. Positive action is applied when applicants are equally qualified or differ only slightly in terms of merit, and one of them represents a group at risk of discrimination.

Please indicate in your application if you consider yourself to belong to a minority group and would like this to be considered in the selection process.