National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences – SAMOK
Lapinrinne 2 | 00180 HELSINKI
samok (a) samok.fi
first name.last name (a) samok.fi
Our office is located in Helsinki at Lapinrinne 2, next to the B-ladder.
If the matter concerns a student card (ordering a card, paying for an academic year sticker, the effect of changing a university of applied sciences on the card, etc.), contact your student union directly.
Clicking on a “READ MORE” will open a more detailed profile of what they do at SAMOK.
The Board
Julia Väänänen
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
Political lobbying and leadership, political programme
Godparent to Student Unions: JAMKO, METKA
Languages: 
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Esittely päivittyy.
Sanja Laitinen-Lindelöf
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
Political lobbying and leadership, FSHS, generation policy, student unions
Godparent to Student Unions: KOE, Kamo, SAVOTTA, ROTKO, OSAKO
Languages:
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Ilona Hirvonen
BOARD MEMBER
International organisational relations, EU, services, fundraising
Godparent to Student Unions: O’Diako, Tamko, HAMKO, Samo, VAMOK
Languages:
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Taru Kyllönen
BOARD MEMBER
Housing, livelihood, communication, elections
Godparent to Student Unions: Kaakko, HUMAKO, Helga, Copsa, SAMMAKKO
Languages:
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Elina Liekkinen
BOARD MEMBER
Education policy, international students
Godparent to Student Unions: Laureamko, ASK, Novium, SkÅHla, Poka
Languages:
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Personnel
Vellu Taskila
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Leading the personnel and advisory work, relations with other NGOs and financial management
Godparent to Student Unions: Tamko, Humako, Jamko
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I’m Vellu, other manifestation of SAMOK’s management. At SAMOK, I am responsible for the operation and development of the administration and I am the staff supervisor.
In my free time, I cycle and engage in related advocacy activities, read, do a cycling podcast, and produce dad jokes.
Johanna Fonsell
EDUCATION POLICY ADVISOR
Education policy and student union financing
Godparent to Student Unions: Poka, METKA, Samo, Vamok
Languages:
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I’m Johanna, SAMOK’s education policy expert. The biggest things on my desk are funding and higher educational institution steering, as well as the development and quality of higher education. In practice, this includes investigation, discussions, writing, participating in working groups, and presenting SAMOK’s views on e.g. annual tuition fees, student feedback, quality systems, the development of teaching, research, development and innovation activities, digitalisation, student admissions, and degree structures.
In addition to education policy affairs, I coordinate SAMOK’s advocacy activities. It is my responsibility to ensure that SAMOK always has a plan for who to meet and when and what information should be generated at any given time. The entire office is involved in the implementation of such plans.
I spend my free time with my family and travelling between three major cities. I live in an old wooden house in Turku, so I also get to enjoy both minor and major home renovation activities in my free time.
Roosa Veijola
International Affairs and EU Advocacy Adviser
European Union, international lobbying and international organisational cooperation
Godparent to Student Unions: KOE, O’Diako, Kaakko, Sammakko
Languages:
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I’m Roosa, SAMOK’s specialist in European policy and international affairs
In practice, I plan and implement SAMOK’s EU advocacy work in matters that affect students and maintain our relations with student organisations in other European countries and our umbrella organisation ESU (European Students’ Union). I also represent Finnish UAS students at meetings of the ESU. It is also my responsibility to promote the equality of international students compared to domestic students, which in practice means facilitating entry into Finland, livelihood, integration and employment. My duties also include the internationalisation of Finnish students, which includes exchange and internship periods abroad as well as internationalisation in Finland.
In addition to working on internationalisation, I have carried out several projects at SAMOK, such as several Europe Information projects and the Equality in Higher Education Institutions project.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, exercising, hobbies and travelling. My favourite hobbies right now include ceramics, tennis, HIIT and yoga. I also enjoy playing boards, animals, sunsets, hanging out leisurely, immersing in conversations, swimming in natural waters, music and good food.
Julia Ståhle
SOCIAL POLICY ADVISOR
Students’ health and wellbeing
Godparent to Student Unions: ASK, Copsa, Novium, SkÅHla
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I’m Julia, and I’m the SAMOK Social Policy Advisor. My responsibilities include student health, well-being, and equality issues.
In the area of health and wellness, I work with the FSHS and do advocacy work related to it. It is my responsibility to take an active role in ensuring that student healthcare is of the highest quality and that its availability meets today’s needs. Other things in my purview include for instance therapy guarantee issues.
In my free time, I enjoy being with my family and friends. I also spend a lot of time in nature – either cosily at the cottage or orienteering When lounging on the sofa, I most prefer to watch horror or reality shows.
Erica Alaluusua
SOCIAL POLICY ADVISOR
Students’ social security and benefit systems, student housing, equality
Godparent to Student Unions: OSAKO, Kamo, Laureamko
Languages:
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I’m Erica, social policy specialist at SAMOK. I work with students’ livelihoods, benefit systems, housing and equality.
In terms of income and benefit systems, I am responsible for advocacy work related to students’ social security. The most important issues in my work include the student financial aid reform and the social security reform. In student housing, we work actively to ensure that students have the opportunity to live in reasonably priced housing with good transport connections.
Equality is an important aspect of my work, especially in various trainings and orientations. In addition, I am involved in equality planning within SAMOK and am also responsible for accessibility issues in advocacy work.
In addition to national advocacy activities, I train and support student unions in local advocacy work.
Aleksi Airaksinen
COMMUNICATIONS AND SERVICES ADVISOR
Events, trainings and communication
Godparent to Student Unions: Hamko, Helga, Rotko, SAVOTTA
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I’m Aleksi, SAMOK’s communications and services advisor. I’m responsible for implementing and coordinating communications, events and training and for managing partnerships.
I coordinate communications and provide instructions and training when necessary. In practice, my duties includes assisting in releasing statements, maintaining the website and coordinating social media communications. I also do content production and proofreading. I edit SAMOK’s newsletter together with the board member responsible for communications, I am responsible for the implementing the communications strategy and ensuring it is up-to-date, and I am involved in the planning of influencer communications.
I am also responsible for planning, organising and marketing events and for communciation related to events. My work also includes developing and coordinating services, planning training related to various projects and serving as a sparring partner.
In addition to these, I am responsible for SAMOK’s fundraising and partnerships.
In my free time I enjoy travelling, badminton and good food and wine.