Teachers and students together make degree programmes what they are – Apply by 14 October to become a student representative
Would you like to develop your degree programme? Do you feel students are inadequately consulted in decision-making? Here is your chance: new student representatives are being sought for the steering groups of all bachelor’s and master’s programmes. Applications are accepted from 16 September to 14 October 2024.
As a student representative, you will have a concrete influence on your programme and will pass on student ideas and feedback. You will also earn credits, meeting fees, and gain useful experience for future employment.
You need no special skills to apply, but must be motivated to put in the effort. We asked the directors of six programmes to explain what makes student representatives so important and why you should apply. Read on!
Student voice in degree programmes
The key task for student representatives is ensuring that programme steering groups take into account student voices and perspectives. Programme staff are very interested in hearing about student expectations.
“I feel strongly about the importance of student representatives. I can’t really imagine being a programme director without their contribution,” says Director Sonja Amadae of the Master’s Programme in Global Politics and Communications.
Petteri Muukkonen, Director of the Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning, agrees:
“Researchers, teachers and students together build an understanding of the identity of each programme and outline its learning outcomes and content. Everyone’s views are important in this planning.”
Active communications
In the steering group, student members represent not only themselves, but all other programme students. Usually, the representatives gather the requests and feedback of their fellow students before steering group meetings.
“It’s been so useful. When you look at things from the perspective of a teacher or admin employee, it’s easy to miss something,” says Director Leena Rantamäki-Lahtinen of the Master’s Programme in Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics.
To ensure student representatives are heard, meeting agendas always include an item for matters relevant to students.
“We always start meetings with any current issues students wish to raise,” says Director Anna Henning of the Bachelor’s Programme in Social Sciences.
“And of course we actively ask students for their views when we discuss other issues.”
The directors interviewed point out that student representatives are also important in disseminating information to their fellow students.
“Student representatives act as intermediaries between programme students and staff, passing on messages from one party to the other,” states Muukkonen.
Concrete change for student benefit
The contribution of student representatives is evident in day-to-day practices affecting all students. For example, feedback from the student representative in the Master’s Programme in Literary Studies led to course rescheduling.
“The student representative told the rest of the steering group about problems in course scheduling. Students felt that too many classes had been planned for the spring term, with too few master’s courses offered in the autumn,” notes Director Kai Mikkonen.
Similarly, students in the Master’s Programme in Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics have influenced the teaching programme in a concrete way.
“When planning things, we don’t always notice missing or overlapping elements. So it’s vital that students give us feedback on how well schedules work for them,” says Rantamäki-Lahtinen.
Student representatives of the Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning have actively developed the multipurpose facility Urbarium in the Porthania building.
“It’s supported group building and promoted a group identity, which is particularly important as about half the students in the programme are from outside Finland,” notes Muukkonen.
Active and committed representatives
All of the directors expect student representatives to be active and curious.
“You don’t have to be actively involved in a student organisation, but you should definitely engage with other students,” Rantamäki-Lahtinen stresses.
Also important is commitment to the steering-group activities. This means, for example, attending meetings regularly, reading documents in advance and participating actively in discussions.
“Student representatives shouldn’t be afraid of stating their views and bringing up matters in the presence of teachers. But of course you do get better at this over time,” Henning says.
The directors say that even if new student representatives initially feel nervous, they are treated as equal members of steering groups and their views are just as important as anyone else’s.
“The initial shyness should disappear when you remember we really want to hear what students think,” says Director Mikko Ketola of the Master’s Programme in Theology and Religious Studies.
- Watch this video for more of the leaders' thoughts on student representatives and their significance.
Credits and valuable professional experience
Student representatives gain a great deal from their involvement. In addition to earning credits, they have a prime vantage point to witness the University’s operations and develop useful experience and networks.
“This is a great opportunity for a student who is interested in how the faculties and degree programmes work. Even interns don’t get to see this deep into the inner workings of the programme,” Amadae notes.
Steering-group work equips students with the basic skills required for professional academic activities, including meetings, assessment, discussion and teaching development. They also get to know their faculty teachers and other staff.
“Working as a student representative shows that you’re an active individual capable of taking responsibility,” Muukkonen says.
“If you can articulate this later, for example, when applying for a job, I’m sure it’ll give you an advantage.”
Student representatives in a nutshell
- Student representatives serve two-year terms. The representatives now appointed will begin their term on 1 January 2025.
- The representatives’ duties include attendance at and preparation for meetings of degree programme steering groups, as agreed. Representatives can complete their duties while continuing to study, and earn one credit per calendar year. In 2025, we will also introduce meeting fees for student representatives in the steering groups.
- The role gives the opportunity to participate in curriculum design, the preparation of admissions criteria and other duties belonging to the programme steering groups.
- Sound exciting? Great! And don’t worry: you will receive orientation to become familiar with the University’s structures as well as tips for keeping in touch with the students you represent.
- Each programme steering group is seeking two student members and two deputies. In total, almost 700 student representatives are serving in the University’s administrative bodies, so you will not be alone.
- Steering-group activities are based on the principles of inclusivity and equity, and the groups seek to recruit students from a variety of backgrounds. The appointment proposal in each programme will be made by a committee of students in the relevant faculty.
Application instructions, further information and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the website of the University of Helsinki Student Union. Ready to make a difference? Apply by 14 October 2024!
Questions on applying? Stop by at the Kaisa House Guidance Corner on Monday September 30 for an info session on all you need to know about applying and acting as a student representative.
Photo: Joel Grandell (University of Helsinki)