National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences – SAMOK

I’m Julia, the Chairperson of SAMOK. I am responsible for political advocacy, leading the work of the board, coordinating the Union’s new political program, and implementing the strategy adopted in 2024. Additionally, my role involves a lot of representation work and close collaboration with the Executive Director.

In my free time, I particularly enjoy traveling, spending time at the summer cottage, reading, and being in nature. I also consume a lot of light-hearted TV shows, but especially during election years, I love watching (small) party debates!

I’m Sanja, the Vice Chairperson of SAMOK’s board. I am responsible for political advocacy and leadership, working closely with the Union’s Chairperson and Executive Director. My areas of responsibility include student health and well-being, pensions, and the Union’s mentorship activities.

I want to help enable and support experiences of societal participation. It is important to me to make more visible the learning and influence pathways on which our shared well-being is built.

I spend my free time playing games at home and taking care of my rabbits. Traveling, cafés, bookstores, and nature are close to my heart.

I’m Ilona, a board member of SAMOK. My responsibilities include international organizational relations and EU advocacy. Additionally, I am in charge of services and fundraising.

It is important for me to promote equal opportunities and holistic well-being for students. I believe that every student should have the same chances to succeed and feel well in their daily life.

I love spending my free time with friends. One of our regular activities is music bingo, which adds a little excitement to everyday life. At home, my dog Aino is waiting for me, and I enjoy immersing myself in books or TV series.

I’m Taru, a board member of SAMOK. I work with issues related to student income and housing, communications, and elections.

In my free time, I especially enjoy taking naps (especially with cats), crafting, and playing games. On the other hand, I also love being on the move and am easily persuaded to try new things.

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.

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.

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.

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.