Influence study facilities, develop the library or dive into the world of research centers!

We are looking for student representatives for a diverse selection of administrative bodies at the University. These positions provide you with the opportunity to learn about and improve students’ services, while also offering a great perspective on the special duties of the University of Helsinki. Read on and apply by 6 March 2022!

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Students have an important role in the University community, which is why most of the decision-making, preparatory and coordinating administrative bodies at the University have student representation. Student representatives bring student perspectives to the administrative bodies and raise issues that are important to students. In cooperation with the University’s personnel, students develop the University to better reflect the largest group in the University – students!

To act as a student representative, you need to be interested in the matter and willing to learn new things! You do not need to be a seasoned negotiator – being a student representative is meant to be a learning experience. Reading the meeting material before the meeting, reflecting on the themes in advance from a student perspective and, if needed, asking for support and opinions from other students, organisations or HYY are quite enough to be successful in the position. HYY also provides training for student representatives and offers them support, so you will not have to work alone!

Check out the open positions below!

Board of the Aleksanteri Institute

Are you interested in multidisciplinary research and societal impact related to Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia? The Board of the Aleksanteri Institute provides you with a great perspective on one of the national duties of the University of Helsinki! In the position, you will also get to network with researchers, interest groups and the representatives of other universities.

Board of the Open University

The Open University opens the doors to the education produced by the University by offering studies that adhere to the curricula of the University of Helsinki to anyone interested. The Board’s duties include developing the operations of the Open University as a whole in accordance with the operational and financial objectives of the University as well as the University’s Strategic Plan and the Open University’s own programme of objectives. The Open University has an important role in the development of continuous learning, which means that you will be involved in processing truly current issues in this position!

Board of the National Library of Finland

The National Library of Finland is an independent institute operating within the University of Helsinki. Its responsibilities include archiving published cultural heritage and making it available to the public as well as serving as a research library, a national cultural institution and a national service unit for online library services. As a member of the Board of the National Library of Finland, you will be a part of a historic, nationally significant institution and will get to influence the operation of the national library together with the diverse members of the Board.

Board of the Language Centre

As a member of the Board of the Language Centre, you will get to influence matters that concern most students at the University of Helsinki: language studies! The board’s duties include steering and developing the operation of the Language Centre, and current issues are sure to include language teaching after the coronavirus era. This means that the board is an extremely important place to influence matters that are important to students!

Board of the Helsinki University Library

What would studying be like without exam books, scientific articles and the working space provided by the library? The Helsinki University Library includes four campus libraries that produce high-quality information services for the needs of research, teaching and learning at the University of Helsinki as well as promote the availability of scientific information in society. As a member of the Library Board, you will get the chance to peek behind the curtain at a large academic library, get a whiff of international winds and influence services that are crucial to students.

Campus library advisory boards of the University of Helsinki

Apply to the advisory board of your campus library to influence the services of your own library! All four of the University’s campus libraries have their own advisory board. The boards are tasked with acting as a cooperation forum for the library’s users and participating in issues such as the strategic development of library services and the planning of collection acquisitions.

Board of the Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS)

The Finnish Museum of Natural History is responsible for storing, adding to and exhibiting the national natural history collections as well as related research and teaching. LUOMUS is an important expert in societal interaction conducted in the field of natural sciences and coordinates the cooperation of all Finnish museums of natural history and botanical gardens. The board of the museum offers interesting perspectives on the societal visibility of natural sciences and the supervision of one of the University’s national duties!

Board of the IT Center

The Board of the IT Center decides on IT issues that concern the entire University as well as the development of services. This is a pretty cool opportunity to learn about the extensive development of data protection and IT operations in a large organisation!

Facilities Committee

What kind of needs do students have for facilities after the pandemic? How can we develop communality and adaptability in the University’s study facilities? The Facilities Committee provides you with an opportunity to influence something that affects almost all students: the University’s facilities!

Board of the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies

Are you a postgraduate student interested in developing top research in the fields of arts, social sciences, theology, law and behavioural sciences? As a member of the board of the collegium, you will get to develop the operation and finances of a cross-disciplinary research institute!

Board of the Ruralia Institute

Sustainable development and the relationship between global and local environments in rural areas – these are the themes of the Ruralia Institute! If you are a student of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry or the Faculty of Social Sciences, you can apply to become a student member of this cross-disciplinary board! In the position, you will also learn about the University of Helsinki’s operation in Mikkeli and Seinäjoki!

WHAT DO I GET FROM THE POSITION?

You will accumulate important experience of meetings, negotiations and decision-making processes. Depending on the administrative body, you may get to learn about, for instance, the operation of a research centre or museum, develop library services, participate in comment rounds on legislative changes or develop language teaching and its supply.

As a student representative, you will meet various professionals, researchers and experts over disciplinary boundaries. You will make good connections that may be extremely useful during your later career, for instance! You may also get credits for serving in the position and can always apply for a certificate of having served in your important position from HYY.

I AM INTERESTED! HOW DO I APPLY?

Submit your application in the Halloped application system by 11.59 pm on 6 March 2022. More details and possible special application criteria for each open position for student representatives is available in the application system. It is advisable to mention at least your current major or degree programme and study orientation as well as your student number in all applications. (The student number is only used to verify your faculty and attendance status. The information will be deleted after they have been verified.) The Student Union considers the following as advantages, and we recommend including any related information in your application:

• Previous experience of acting as a student representative in administration, as a person in charge of academic affairs or in some other position related to student advocacy work
• Other experience as relevant to the position
• Motivation towards serving in the position

The Student Union hopes to receive applications from representatives of different genders and people in different stages of their studies from diverse backgrounds. We assume that you are available for the positions of both actual and vice member. The Student Union strives to take into account the representation of different disciplines when making the selections.

For further information on the call for applications and the application process, please contact:

Specialist in educational policy

Marianna Suokas

marianna.suokas@hyy.fi