Is there a lack of student representatives in your degree programme? Join the steering group yourself!
Are you interested in what kind of teaching is organised in your degree programme? This is your chance to influence matters! The Student Union of the University of Helsinki is looking for student representatives for the term 1 January 2021–31 December 2022 to some degree programmes’ steering groups. At the end of this page, you can find a list of degree programmes with remaining open positions. There are also two positions for vice members open in the Language Centre’s Committee for the Development of Teaching.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
Each degree programme at the University of Helsinki has a steering group that supports the director of the degree programme and processes the central issues related to the degree programme’s operation. Two actual and two vice members represent students in each steering group.
The preparation of the curriculum and deciding on the annual teaching schedule are particularly important issues for students to influence: steering groups define the framework for what courses are taught in the schedule, which studies are compulsory for everyone, how much optional studies can be included in degrees, what kind of study material and teaching methods are used on courses and what methods to complete courses each course has. In addition to this, steering groups process issues related to student admissions in the degree programme and the use of teaching and facility resources, for instance.
As a member of the steering group, you will get to influence the teaching provided in the degree programme and make students’ voice heard while also forming useful networks. You can also get credits for acting in the steering group.
Two positions for vice members have opened up in the Language Centre’s Committee for the Development of Teaching for the current term, 1 January 2021–31 December 2021. The purpose of the committee is to promote the planning, realisation and evaluation of teaching in the Language Centre. As a student member, you will be bringing forward students’ needs and ideas concerning language studies. You can also get credits for serving on the committee! The committee operates in Finnish. Further information about the committee is available here.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES?
Student members of the steering groups of degree programmes act as the students’ voice in the University’s decision-making processes. There are only two requirements: you must be registered for attendance at the University of Helsinki and you must have a justified connection to the degree programme whose steering group you are applying for (e.g. a study right or the intention to complete studies in the programme).
No special skills are required – having the desire to learn and the motivation to act as a student representative is of primary importance. Thoroughly reading the meeting material before the meeting, asking for the opinions of – depending on the situation – either your fellow students or subject organisation on the issues on the meeting agenda and speaking up at the meeting itself are quite enough to be successful in the position. The Student Union also trains the selected student representatives in administration and provides support and its expertise for their work in University administration.
HOW DO I APPLY TO BECOME A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE?
Applications should be submitted at Halloped-website by 9th May 2021.
The application should clearly indicate your experience as relevant to the position, your motivation and your current major and/or degree programme and study orientation. If you do not currently have a study right in the programme whose steering group you are applying for, please also justify your connection to the programme in your application. The Student Union considers the following as advantages:
- Motivation and commitment to serve in the position
- Previous experience of acting as a student representative in administration, as a study advisor or in some other position related to student advocacy work
- Connection to the students of the degree programme, readiness to communicate to them about the work of the steering group and readiness to chart and represent students’ views on the development of the degree programme.
The Student Union hopes to see applications from representatives of different genders and people in different stages of their studies from diverse backgrounds. We assume you to be available for the positions of both an actual representative and a debuty. The Student Union strives to consider different disciplines’ representation when making the selections.
Further information on acting in the steering group of a degree programme and the call for applications is given by
Marianna Suokas
Specialist for Higher Education Policy
0503255202
marianna.suokas(at)hyy.fi
DEGREE PROGRAMMES WITH OPEN POSITIONS IN THE STEERING GROUP:
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
Bachelor’s Programme in Forest Sciences: 1 representative and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Food Economy and Consumption: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Food Sciences: 1 representative and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Forest Sciences: 1 representative and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Human Nutrition and Food Behaviour: 2 deputies
FACULTY OF ARTS
Bachelor’s Programme in Art Studies: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Cultural Heritage: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Gender Studies: 1 representative and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Intercultural Encounters: 1 deputies
Master’s Programme in Literary Studies: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Russian Studies: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Scandinavian Languages and Literature: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Translation and Interpreting: 2 deputies
FACULTY OF BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Bachelor’s programme in Biology: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Neuroscience: 2 deputies
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
Bachelor’s Programme in Chemistry: 2 deputies
Bachelor’s Programme in Geography: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme for Teachers of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences: 1 representative and 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Computer Science: 1 deputies
Master’s Programme in Data Science: 1 deputies
Master’s Programme in Geography: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Materials Research: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning: 1 representative and 2 deputies
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Master’s Programme in Contemporary Societies: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in European and Nordic Studies: 1 deputy
Master’s Programme in Social and Health Research and Management: 2 deputies
Master’s Programme in Society and Change: 1 representative and 2 deputies
Swedish-language Master’s Programme in Social Sciences (samhällsvetenskaper): 1 deputy
Language Centre’s Committee for the Development of Teaching: 2 debuties
