Candidate Page Ruvindu Gamage (Rue)

Ruvindu Gamage (Rue) is a candidate for SAMOK’s Board of Directors for 2027.

Rue is from the Student Union of Tampere University of Applied Sciences TAMKO, and has this year served as a vice chairperson of the TAMKOs board.

Why are you running for the SAMOK’s Board?

I have been a trustee in Tamko for almost two years. In 2025, as the Leisure representative, and this year as the Vice Chairperson of the Board. Being in these positions has taught me the importance of advocacy and my passion for it. Now I feel ready to do it on a much bigger scale, and SAMOK is the perfect opportunity to bring my experience and passion to advocate for all students in Finland.

The responsibilities and combinations of responsibilities on the SAMOK Board vary from year to year. Which areas of responsibility are of primary interest to you? And what are your secondary interests? Please explain.

I’m primarily interested in International students, international organisation relations, EU advocacy, and fundraising. I believe that with my firsthand experience as an international student, my networking skills, and my work ethic, I would exceed expectations in this role. I am also interested in social and education policy roles.

What kind of networks do you have and what kind of networker are you?

I see every event or gathering as an opportunity to build new connections and learn something from those interactions, regardless of the level of influence that person holds. I have good connections with student housing associations, the executive team of TAMK, and political student associations. I have also built connections with organisations from the university sector, as well as connections with different European student council members through a Uninovis alliance.

What kind of political lobbying experience do you have? For example, experience in lobbying.

In 2025, together with our communications expert, I lobbied to find funding for “Kamula” which is a meeting place for students and young adults. Their funding had run out without a clear future to acquire more, and the people who depended on that settlement were at risk of being left alone again. I participated in all meetings and lobbied to find funding from Tampere University, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, and the City of Tampere. We ended up writing a piece to Aamulehti as well. Thanks to our work, we raised enough funding to keep the place running. I have also lobbied in the form of working groups and met the executive team of TAMK as well.