About Akava Students
Akava Students is a community of over 125,000 university and university of applied sciences students that engages in advocacy on behalf of both students and recent graduates. Its focus areas include education, social policy, well-being, and labor market policy. Akava Students’ activities are led by the Board.
At the end of this page, you can find the application timeline. All preliminary applications and their attachments will be published weekly on Akava’s website every Monday and distributed to the Council members.
Apply for the Position of President 2026
Akava Students will elect one President for the coming year. Together with the Vice President, the President is responsible for leading, guiding, planning, and developing Akava Students’ activities.
As President of Akava Students, you will have the opportunity to utilize your strengths. The position offers a meaningful chance to participate in and influence advocacy on students’ working life issues. The President is nominated as the student representative candidate to Akava’s Board.
The position of President is a full-time position of trust, requiring regular presence in Helsinki and an active working approach. Fluent finnish language skills are required in this position.
Members of the Akava Students’ Presidium (Presidentand Vice President) cannot represent the same union, but multiple candidates from the same union may apply.
To apply, send a free-form application and your CV by email to veikka.kuusisto@akava.fi, using the subject line:
“Application for Akava Students’ President/ [your name]”.
The preliminary application must be submitted no later than November 19, 2025, before the meeting. It is also possible to run for the position during the Council meeting. Please note that you must be nominated as a candidate by an Akava member organization.
Apply for the Position of Vice President 2026
Akava Students will elect one Vice President for the coming year. Together with the President, the Vice President is responsible for leading, guiding, planning, and developing Akava Students’ activities.
As Vice President, you will have the opportunity to use your strengths and to take part in advocacy related to students’ working life issues. The Vice President is nominated as the personal deputy member of the student representative in Akava’s Board.
The position of Vice President is a full-time position of trust, requiring regular presence in Helsinki and an active working approach. Fluent finnish language skills are required in this position.
Members of the Akava Students’ Presidium cannot represent the same union, though multiple candidates from the same union may apply.
To apply, send a free-form application and your CV by email to veikka.kuusisto@akava.fi, using the subject line: “Application for Akava Students’ Vice President / [your name]”.
The preliminary application must be submitted no later than November 19, 2025, before the meeting. It is also possible to run for the position during the Council meeting. Please note that you must be nominated as a candidate by an Akava member organization.
Apply for the Position of Board Member 2026
Together with the Presidium, the Board is responsible for Akava Students’ operational activities. Each year, between four and eight members are elected to the Board. The areas of responsibility are decided during the organizational meeting and determined according to individual interests and operational needs.
As a Board Member, you will help build Akava Students into an even more influential actor with a strong role in Finnish labor market advocacy. This is a governing role in a national organization.
Board work requires commitment, and the workload is approximately 5–10 hours per week.
To apply, send a free-form application and your CV by email to veikka.kuusisto@akava.fi, using the subject line: “Application for Akava Students’ Board Member / [your name]”.
The preliminary application must be submitted no later than November 19, 2025, before the meeting. It is also possible to run for the position during the Council meeting. Please note that you must be nominated as a candidate by an Akava member organization.
For Applicants
A candidate panel will be held for those applying for Akava Students’ positions of trust on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 11:30 to 12:30, in connection with the Council meeting. The Council meeting will begin at 13:30, and applicants are encouraged to attend. Lunch will be provided beforehand for the Council and invited participants.
An orientation for new officeholders will be organized later in the year. The exact dates will be announced before the end of the application period. Participation in the orientation is especially important for preparing for next year’s activities.
Pre-Meeting Questions for Applicants
Both Presidium and Board candidates will receive preliminary questions at least two weeks before the meeting, to be answered according to a separate schedule. The responses will be shared with the Council prior to the November meeting. The purpose of these questions is to provide a broader understanding of each candidate’s expertise before the meeting.
Questions?
For questions from new applicants, please contact:
- Pauliina Ryökäs, Chair of Akava Students – 044 747 3671, pauliina.ryokas@akava.fi
- Kia Kauppinen, Vice Chair of Akava Students – 044 901 7314, kia.kauppinen@akava.fi
For questions about the application process, the meeting, or practical arrangements, please contact:
- Veikka Kuusisto, Specialist – 050 383 1497, veikka.kuusisto@akava.fi
Please note that documents will be published on the website, and they should be submitted without personal data.
The Council 2026
The Akava Students’ Council consists of Akava member organizations with student activities. Any Akava member organization with student members at the start of the term may appoint representatives to the Council.
The new term begins in 2026. Council members must also be members of an Akava member organization.
More information: Veikka Kuusisto, veikka.kuusisto@akava.fi