Candidates for HYY’s Board for 2026
NEWS
HYY’s Representative Council will appoint the chair and members of HYY’s Board for 2026 in its meeting on 27 November 2025.
Representative Council groups have nominated one candidate for the position of chair of HYY’s Board and 11 candidates for the Board. According to HYY’s Constitution, the Board may have 7–13 members.
The Representative Council will appoint the Board for next year in its meeting on 27 November 2025. You can watch a livestream of the meeting on HYY’s YouTube channel.
Candidate for the position of chair of HYY’s Board
Emil Aarnio
Age: 24
Degree programme: Economics
Political group: UH Greens
Hello! I’m Emil, a master’s student of economics and vice chair of HYY’s Board in 2025. During the past year, I’ve also been in charge of the municipal and Representative Council elections as well as served as a student member on Ylva’s Board. It would be a great joy to get to put the skills I’ve acquired at the Student Union’s disposal as the chair of HYY’s Board in 2026.
As a leader, I consider facilitating the success of the people I’m leading as my most important role. During especially challenging times, the importance of the work community’s wellbeing and resilience is emphasised. I would make a competent and committed chair for HYY to help guide the Student Union towards a new position. It is important to hold on to the core of student culture amid all the changes, and I believe that the changes also provide opportunities to develop the Student Union’s operations.
Candidates for HYY’s Board
Delila Belahcen
Degree programme: Agricultural sciences, animal science
Political group: HYAL
Hi! I’m Delila Belahcen, a fourth-year student of animal science who has been active in student advocacy work for a long time. I want to make HYY an even stronger supporter and advocate of students than it is now to ensure that every student can feel HYY represents them. As the financial foundation of our operations is changing, we must not forget our diverse field of organisations, as its wellbeing is the prerequisite of the entire Student Union’s vitality.
My experience from the Representative Council and among the chairs of council groups has taught me how HYY works and how results are achieved through cooperation. Organisational activities and working life have honed my skills as a responsible person, an active listener and a negotiator. During the next year, I want to ensure that HYY acts in a transparent, multi-voiced manner while boldly looking towards the future.
Nikola Eerola
Age: 28
Degree programme: Master’s Programme in Social Research, social work
Political group: Independent Left
Hi! I’m Nikola Eerola, a 28-year-old master’s student of social work. I’m an empathetic, systematic and multiskilled person who emphasises dialogue. My core values include the rights of disabled people and sexual and gender minorities as well as antiracism. I’ve served on HYY’s Representative Council and as a chair of my council group as well as in many other positions of trust throughout the years. I consider HYY a familiar and dear organisation.
On HYY’s Board, I want to conduct impactful advocacy work to ensure that student wellbeing and the accessibility of education are among the themes discussed in the next parliamentary elections. As a social worker, I’m well aware of the challenges and requirements of the social and healthcare system, and rights-based thinking cuts across all my work. In the national field of organisations, I’m active in matters related to neurodiversity. Come and have a chat, I’d be happy to hear how you’re doing!
Juuso Försti
Age: 20
Degree programme: Law
Political group: HELP
I’m Juuso Försti, a second-year law student originally hailing from among the vast fields of Southern Ostrobothnia. I’m a second-term Representative Council member currently serving as the chair of my council group. I’ve also served as a campaign manager and in the Preparatory Committee, for instance.
On HYY’s Board, I’d like to develop advocacy work to make HYY an even more determined advocate of students towards the University, the City and the Finnish government. HYY’s most important duty is to defend our students at every turn.
Working on HYY’s board requires cooperation skills, energy and understanding of complex issues. In addition to all this, as a law student, I can also help ensure that decisions are made in accordance with good governance and in a manner that is transparent to our members.
Olli Jalonen
Age: 24
Degree programme: Environmental change and global sustainability
Political group: Independent Left
Hello! I’m Olli Jalonen, and I’m applying to HYY’s Board in order to act as a part of an impactful student movement – students deserve subsistence today and a livable planet tomorrow.
I have strong experience of societal advocacy work and organisational activities. In HYY, I’ve served as a council member, member of the Financial Committee and a campaign manager in the Representative Council elections. As chair and producer of Viikki-speksi, I’ve been in charge of complex matters. In my subject organisation, MYY ry, I’ve worked on themes related to equality and social advocacy work.
During the upcoming term, HYY should be guided towards a new direction amid the major changes it’s facing. At the same time, students’ voice must be heavily amplified, especially with the 2027 parliamentary elections in mind. I’m ready to accept this challenge.
Tiia-Roosa ‘Tintti’ Kilpinen
Age: 27
Degree programme: Environmental sciences
Political group: Independent Left
Hey! I’m Tintti, and I’m applying to HYY’s Board for 2026. I believe in cooperation and working together, and this would be important to me on HYY’s Board too. I’m motivated to promote the collective matters of our Student Union and to advocate students’ interests. I also have strong expertise and experience of this as I’ve been involved in student organisation activities in the organisations of Viikki since 2022 and been a member of HYY’s Representative Council also since 2022, while I also have previous work experience to support me. I’d like to work on educational policy in HYY, and in the current situation, HYY would need a competent person for this – which it would have in me.
The University must be accessible to everyone, as should HYY!
Karolin Kurvits
Age: 21
Degree programme: Bachelor’s Programme in Forest Sciences
Political group: National Coalition Party
I’m Karolin Kurvits, a student of forest sciences interested in societal impact and student advocacy work from the Edistykselliset group. I’m applying to become a member of HYY’s Board for 2026. I’m serving on the Board of Kansalliset Ylioppilaat ry and have also gained experience as a student representative on the board of a subject organisation, a student representative in administration and a project coordinator for the Student Union of the National Coalition Party in the Representative Council elections.
My strengths include a strong work ethic, high stress tolerance and broad experience in politics. On HYY’s Board, I want to work on student advocacy work, develop the Student Union’s services to correspond to its members’ needs and reinforce transparent and constructive cooperation between different groups – also in difficult times.
Minea Lundström
Age: 20
Degree programme: Teacher of mathematics, physics and chemistry
Political group: SNÄf
I’m Minea Lundström, a second-year student studying to become a teacher in mathematics and physics, a member of the Representative Council and a multifaceted person active in organisations. I’ve accumulated experience of organisational activities and advocacy work through serving on the Board of Spektrum rf and as a student representative in the University’s administrative bodies, for instance.
Even during times of crisis, the Student Union must not forget that it needs to be able to serve its members and conduct high-quality advocacy work despite the challenging situation. Through my organisational background and diverse work experience, I’ve learned to operate in diverse and even strange environments. I want to offer the expertise I’ve gained through these experiences to help HYY during these times of change.
As a member of the Board, I’m systematic and eager to cooperate with others!
Iida Niva-Vesala
Age: 31
Degree programmes: Bachelor’s Programme in the Languages and Literatures of Finland, Master’s Programme in Literary Studies
Political group: Student nations
I’m Iida Niva-Vesala, and I’m applying to HYY’s Board. Alongside my studies, I’ve been serving on the board of Putkinotko and more or less lived at Pohjois-Pohjalainen Osakunta. I have over 15 years of experience of various organisational and volunteer activities and would now like to use this experience for the benefit of the Student Union’s members.
I want to help the Student Union to develop during the current changes it’s facing and ensure that small organisations also have the opportunity to continue their operations. Besides my skills, I’m also putting my cross-political networks and a lot of optimistic attitude at the disposal of the Board and the Student Union. I think kindly of other people and am ready to work for things I consider important. My core values are education, freedom and equality.
Sandali Perera
Age: 29
Degree programme: Russian, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies
Political group: Social Democratic Students and Independents in HYY
Hi all, I’m Sandali, former Vice Chair of HYY’s International Committee and 1st Vice Representative for RepCo 2025–2027. I’m running for the HYY Board to strengthen student influence in decision-making and ensure every member feels represented. My experience has given me a solid understanding of Finnish and international student needs and HYY’s working culture. I aim to increase engagement, support volunteering and international affairs, promote equality, and ensure all voices are heard. I also want to improve event planning to foster inclusion and student wellbeing. As an international student and volunteer, I know how vital support is and look forward to building a more open, equitable, student-centered HYY.
Marta Serrano López
Age: 24
Degree programme: Master’s Programme in Neuroscience
Political group: UH Greens
Hi! I am Marta Serrano López, a neuroscience student from Spain and current vice member of the Representative Council. I joined the UH Greens to defend the interests of international students, but I have also advocated for issues such as the Palestinian cause and sustainability.
I believe I can continue to have a positive impact on our community by joining the Board. The current situation is dire not only for students but for society as a whole. As a member of the Board, I would like to help strengthen our advocacy on social and environmental policies, ensuring a fairer future for everyone.
I am hardworking, adaptable and responsible. I am eager to put my skills to use for a Board that defends the interests of the greater student community while still protecting its most vulnerable groups.
Helmiina Toivo
Degree programme: Subject teacher of mathematics, physics and chemistry
Political group: HYAL
Hello! My name is Helmiina, I’m studying to become a subject teacher of chemistry and I have a lot of experience with organisations. I’m applying to HYY’s Board because I want to help strengthen the Student Union as a community to which everyone can feel like they belong during this uncertain time.
I want to improve students’ everyday life with a positive, solution-oriented approach, utilising my broad experience and expertise. Through serving as the vice chair of HYAL’s Representative Council group and Limes, I have a strong understanding of HYY as well as the administration and financial matters of organisations.
The future HYY of my dreams is a bold advocate whose members and the organisations operating under it are proud to be a part of. I believe that open interaction and cooperation can help us keep HYY as wonderful and diverse as it is now.
