The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
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The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
26.06.2026
The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY) has decided to nominate a law student Emilia Enroth as a candidate for Chair of the Board of the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) for 2027, and orthodox theology student Emilia Kivikoski as a candidate for a position as Board Member. ISYY's Representative Council made the decision at their meeting on 15 April 2026.
Emila Enroth, 30, is already familiar with both SYL and ISYY. Enroth is the current Vice Chair of the SYL Board. In ISYY Enroth worked in 2025 on sectors of academic affairs, environment and development cooperation as a member of the Board, and later as the Chair of the ISYY Board.
– It is a great honour to receive the Council’s confidence in my work and to have the opportunity to campaign for a better future for students. Next year, the government's debt brake policy and the parliamentary elections will play a defining role in shaping the future of university students. That is why defending free education will be of paramount importance. Finnish society is built on the principle that everyone should have an equal opportunity to pursue education, regardless of their socioeconomic background, states Enroth.
– Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to deepen my engagement with education policy and the work of improving students’ position in society. It cannot be stressed enough that students are the future of Finland. I want to promote students’ wellbeing and future prospects in a way that benefits society as a whole.
For Enroth, the most important themes are safeguarding free education, advancing sustainable development, and ensuring the continuity of the SYL’s parliamentary election advocacy work. Enroth has also worked as a member of the SYL’s Development Cooperation Advisory Committee (KENKKU) and the UEF’s work group for Sustainable Development and Responsibility.
At the municipal level, Enroth serves as a first deputy councilor in Joensuu and as a full member of the Building and Environment Committee.
Emilia Kivikoski, 25, has worked on the ISYY Board for the years 2025–2026. Kivikoski is the current Chair of the ISYY Board, and previously they have been responsible for the sectors of social policy, associations and clubs.
– It is an honour to stand as a candidate for the Board of SYL with the nomination of ISYY. The work being done to advance higher education and student wellbeing is more important now, than it has been in a long time. Many of the decisions being made today will not only affect the present moment, but also shape what it will be like to study years from now, states Kivikoski.
For Kivikoski, particularly important issues include higher education funding, tuition-free education, and international students. Kivikoski has gained experience in higher education policy not only through serving on the Board of ISYY, but also through student association activities and as a student representative in the UEF’s Faculty Council of Philosophy. Over the past year, Kivikoski has actively advocated for students’ interests as a member of the higher education consortium’s vision working group.
SYL represents Finnish university students at the national level and promotes their interests. SYL's board for 2027 will be elected at the General Assembly in November 2026. ISYY is represented at the General Assembly with its own delegation, and ISYY has a total of 16 votes.
Emilia Enroth, Vice Chair of the SYL Board, The National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL), emilia.enroth(at)syl.fi, tel. +358 (0) 44 906 5003
Emilia Kivikoski, Chair of the ISYY Board, The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), emilia.kivikoski(at)isyy.fi, tel. +358 (0) 44 576 8400
Hannele Mirola, Secretary General, The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), paasihteeri(at)isyy.fi, tel. +358 (0) 44 576 8417