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15.01.2026

Call for Applicants: Student Representatives for positions of trust at the University of Eastern Finland

In accordance with section 46 of the Universities Act, the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland is a student union, which has a statutory duty to nominate Student Representatives to the administrative bodies of the university. ISYY names Student Representatives also to other positions. After a Student Representative's term, a representative can apply 1–2 ECTS according to UEF's education plan.

The Student Union had an announcement for the following positions in autumn 2025. Because only part of the position was filled, The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland no re-calls for:

• three (3) deputy representatives to the Faculty Council of Faculty of Sciences, Forestry, and Technology. The term of office lasts until 31 December 2027.
• one (1) deputy representative to the Faculty Council of Faculty of Philosophical Faculty. The term of office lasts until 31 December 2027.
• two (2) deputy representatives to the University Collegium. The term of office lasts until 31 December 2027.

At the same time ISYY is also announcing the following positions to be applied:

• one (1) student representative and one (1) deputy representative to the Education Leadership Group. The term of office lasts until 31 December 2026.
• two (2) student representatives and two (2) deputy representatives to the Language Centre’s development group. The term of office is until 31 December 2027.

Faculty Councils

In accordance with section 27 of the Universities Act, the Faculty Council is a multi-member administrative body of a unit divided for the organization of research and teaching at the University, in which the personnel groups referred to in section 15.2 of the Universities Act, i.e. professors (5+5), other research and teaching staff, other staff (5+5) and students (5+5) are represented.

According to section 9 of the University Regulations, the duties of the Faculty Council are:

1. To discuss the development measures of the faculty's teaching, research and interaction as well as far-reaching solutions affecting the Faculty; 
2. to process the starting points for the preparation of the faculty’s budget and the planning of its activities, the actual reports on finances and the budget;
3. comment on the internal structure of the faculty to the extent that the rector decides on the matter
4. to give a statement to the Rector on the proposal for the election of the Dean and to the Dean on the proposal for the election of the Vice Dean;
5. decides on the establishment and discontinuation of the major subject within the framework of the educational responsibility
6. decides on curricula and student admission criteria, unless otherwise provided in the regulations
7. grade dissertations
8. process a proposal for the professor's field of duties and job description
9. to process a proposal for the scope and job definition of the permanent positions of the faculty's teaching and research staff in the four-tiered career model and the tenuring path.
10. decides on the granting of the title of docent
11. confers an honorary doctorate

In addition, the Faculty Council and the Faculty Management Team meet at least twice a year to discuss the faculty’s development measures related to teaching, research and interaction, as well as other long-term solutions that affect the faculty’s operations.

The University Collegium

The University Collegium of Eastern Finland is a collegiate body of a university governed by public law in accordance with section 22 of the Universities Act, and its duties are:

1. decide on the number of members of the Board of University and the length of the term of office of the Board and its members;
2. elect members from outside the university community to the University Board;
3. confirm the elections of the internal groups of the University community as members of the University Board;
4. to release a member of the University Board from his or her duties on the basis of a proposal by the Board;
5. elect the university's auditors;
6. to confirm the University's financial statements and annual report and to decide on the discharge of the members of the Board and the Rector from liability;
7. to decide on the filing of an action for damages against a member of the Board, the Rector and the auditor;
8. decide on the release of a member of the Board from his or her duties if he or she considers that he or she no longer enjoys the trust of the University community

In addition to statutory duties, the University Collegium decides on the amount of remuneration to be paid to the members of the University Board. The University Collegium also convenes at least twice a year to discuss topics that are important and topical for the university community (UEF Regulations, section 6).

The administrative language of the UEF is Finnish. In cases where the native language of a member of the body is a language other than Finnish, participation can be made possible by translating the meeting documents into English and by enabling the use of an interpreter at the meetings.

A meeting fee is paid for participation in the meetings of the Faculty Council and the University Collegium. In addition, after the term of office, a student who has worked in the Collegium and the Faculty Council may be granted 1 credit from the Collegium and a maximum of 2 credits from the Faculty Council for participation in administrative and working group work.

Education Leadership Group

This position of trust requires native or at least fluent Finnish skills.

According to the Regulations on Education at the University of Eastern Finland, which entered into force on 1 January 2024, the University has an Education Leadership Group appointed by the Rector, whose task is "to prepare and monitor the strategic policies related to the University's teaching, to process the University's common policies concerning studies and teaching, and to promote and monitor the quality of teaching, guidance and learning." The Education Leadership Group must include student representation, which is appointed by the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland. (Education Regulations, Section 3). The Education Leadership Group is chaired by the Vice Rector for Education.

The Education Leadership Group meets approximately once a month during the semesters. A meeting fee is paid for participation in the meetings. The working language of the group is Finnish. In addition, after the term of office, the representative can apply for 1–2 credits for participation in administrative and working group work. 

As this is a strategically and administratively important representative position, the student representative is expected to have a long-term and well-founded view and experience of education policy, as well as the University's decision-making and the promotion of the student's position. Previous experience in student representation tasks is considered an advantage.

Language Centre’s Development Group

The University of Eastern Finland has a Language Centre, which is a service institution in accordance with section 17 of the Regulations. According to section 19 of the Regulations, the Language Centre's duties are:

1. to organize the language and communication studies required by the Degree Decrees and to offer other language and communication studies needed in the scientific community, studies and working life
2. to develop the teaching of languages and communication in special fields and the prerequisites for learning
3. Promote the lifelong learning of language and communication skills among students.
4. support the internationalization of the university and its area of influence
5. be responsible for the recognition of competence previously acquired in language and communication studies
6. to produce language services for the university community within the limits of its resources

The Language Centre has a Development Group whose task is to process general policies related to the organization of education, feedback and development proposals related to curriculum work and the development of the Language Centre's operations.

Versatile language skills and an interest in developing language and communication studies are considered an advantage for the applicant.

Application and eligibility

A person who has the right to complete a bachelor's or master's degree or a licentiate or doctoral degree at the University of Eastern Finland, or who has the right to study as an alumni student at the university and has registered as attending is eligible to apply for all of the above-mentioned positions of trust. A person who is employed by the University for more than 10% is not entitled to apply for a position on the Faculty Council or Collegium in a group of students (University of Eastern Finland Election Regulations, Section 2).

Applications for all positions of trust must be sent to ISYY's Specialist in Educational and Social Policy Mikko Aaltonen at koso(at)isyy.fi by 12 (noon) on Monday 2 February 2026. The elected persons will be decided by the ISYY Board at its meeting.

Further information:

Applying: Mikko Aaltonen, Specialist in Educational and Social Affairs, Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), koso(at)isyy.fi, tel. +358 44 576 8414

Work of the institutions:

Faculty Councils: Arja Hirvonen, Chief Administrative Officer (LuMetTe), University of Eastern Finland (UEF), arja.hirvonen(at)uef.fi, tel. +358 44 716 3422 and Henni Nevalainen, Chief Administrative Officer (Filo), University of Eastern Finland (UEF), henni.nevalainen(at)uef.fi, tel. +358 40 577 7739

University Collegium: Paula Jussila, University Legal Specialist, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), paula.jussila(at)uef.fi, tel. +358 50 531 8062

Education Leadership Group: Miia Turtiainen, Director of Education Services, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), miia.turtiainen(at)uef.fi, tel. +358 50 438 2610

Language Centre Development Group: Satu Karhapää-Puhakka, Head of Academic Affairs at the Language Centre, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), satu.karhapaa-puhakka(at)uef.fi, tel. +358 50 438 7631