Over the past month, there has been extensive media coverage about the potential merger between South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK) and LUT University. The reporting has been inconsistent, and we, as the Student Union Kaakko, want to help clarify the situation. At this stage, we would like to remind every student at our university that no decisions have been finalized—discussions are still ongoing. The Chair of the Student Union Kaakko Board was also interviewed and asked to comment on the situation. 

Student Union Kaakko is committed to actively participating in these discussions, as advocating for the interests of our students is our primary responsibility. In summer 2023, the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ) published a report on the functionality of universities of applied sciences operating as limited companies. This report highlights concerns that we share: the power held by owners can, in the worst case, be misused. An inappropriate ownership structure could, in the long term, be detrimental to the quality of higher education and to our own university of applied sciences. 

The report draws attention to Section 3 of the Universities of Applied Sciences Act, which defines the university of applied sciences community. This community includes teachers, other staff, degree students, and—according to Section 41—the student union, which is composed of students. The Act states: "The purpose of the student union is to serve as a link for its members and to promote their social, societal, and intellectual aspirations, as well as those related to their studies and status in society. The student union's task is to prepare students for active, aware, and critical citizenship." The university of applied sciences community must be involved in decisions that concern it. 

As the student union, we want to emphasize that we stand behind our university of applied sciences and value its autonomy. We call for the continuation of discussions to be as transparent and inclusive as possible, ensuring the participation of students, student associations, and the student union. Through open dialogue, information reaches the widest possible audience, and decision-making can take people's concerns into account. While collaboration between universities of applied sciences and universities is important, it can be achieved in ways other than ownership. 

For any questions, please contact:

Council President of the Student Union
Nelli Kortelainen
044 2105100
nelli.kortelainen@opiskelijakuntakaakko.fi 

Board President of the Student Union
Niko Heikkilä
niko.heikkila@opiskelijakuntakaakko.fi 

 

Voting in the 2026 Supplementary election for the Student Union Kaakko’s Representative Council ended on April 13, 2026, at 23:59. Early voting for the Representative Council election took place from April 7th to April 12th, 2026. Election Day was April 13th, 2026.

A total of 204 votes were cast in the 2026 Supplementary elections, and the voter turnout was 5.69%.

Congratulations to those elected and thank you to everyone who voted!

Everyone who voted in the Representative Council elections can pick up a Vaikutin overalls patch from Kaakko’s offices.

Voting results for the Representative Council by-elections:

Results of the Supplementary elections 2026 in PDF form.

Appeals

In accordance with Section 14 of the Student Union’s Election Regulations, a member of the Student Union may appeal the conduct of the election, the approval of a candidate or a voter, or the vote count within fourteen (14) days of the election’s conclusion. Appeals must be addressed to the Central Election Committee and submitted in writing.

Further information
Joonas Soukkio
joonas.soukkio@xamk.fi
+358504777187

Joonas Soukkio, a Bachelor of Business Administration (UAS) and Master's student in Human Resource Management, began his role as Kaakko's  new Executive Director on February 18. A native of Tampere, Joonas has extensive experience in the UAS student movement, political advocacy, and organizational leadership. He has served, among other roles, as chair of the board of the Student Union Tamko, on the board of Tampere University of Applied Sciences, and as a president of the board of the National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences – SAMOK. 

"Joonas brings a strong contribution to Southeast Finland with his student union expertise and his relaxed yet consistent approach to advocating for students' interests." Board Chair Niko Heikkilä  

"It's rewarding and enjoyable to be back advocating for the interests of university of applied sciences students after a short break. I'm looking forward to getting to know the different campuses and cities and developing Kaakko's operations." Executive Director Joonas Soukkio  

Joonas is quickly getting up to speed in his new role, and the Southeast Finland region is becoming increasingly familiar to him. You can reach the new Executive Director by phone 0504777187 and by email joonas.soukkio(a)xamk.fi 

 In the elections, three (3) regular members and maximum of twenty (20) deputy members will be elected to the Representative Council. The elections will be conducted by electronic voting. The nomination period begins on March 3, 2026, at 8:00 and ends on March 12, 2026, at 23.59. As a member of Kaakko, you are eligible to run as a candidate. Run for position N-O-W! 😎 

Important links can be found below: 

Candidate form
Election coalition founding form 
Electoral alliance supplement form 

What is the Representative Council?  

• It is the highest decision-making body of the Student Union – it decides what the Student Union does.  
• The Council consists of 20 elected members and up to 20 deputy members.  
• The Council’s term of office is one calendar year.  
• There are 3–6 meetings per year.  

What does the Representative Council offer students?  

• The highest decision-making power – you will play a key role in an active student community and have the opportunity to influence education and student affairs.  
• 5 ECTS credits for your freely chosen studies at the UAS level.  
• Experience in organisational activities, advocacy, and decision-making – valuable skills for working life.  
• Opportunities to network and meet students from outside your own campus.  

Who can run for election?  

• All members of the Student Union who have paid the membership fee and are registered as attending students may stand as candidates. 

Running for election is free, and you do not need prior experience with elections or Council work. You can serve on the Council even if you do not live in your campus city. 

How do I become a candidate?  

• Fill out this form – it only takes about 2 minutes. 

When will the elections take place? 

• 3.3.2026: Candidate nomination begins at 08:00 
• 12.3.2026: Candidate nomination ends at 23:59 
• 17.3.2026: Candidates and election numbers announced 
• 23.3.2026: Early voting begins at 08:00 
• 30.3.2026: Official voting day / Voting ends at 23:59 
• 31.3. 2026: Vote counting 
• 2.4.2026: Results announcement

You can find more information about the elections and the representatives through the links below: 

• Election Regulations (only in Finnish)  
• Representative Council Elections 
• Representative Council 
• Representative Council Regulations(Only in Finnish) 

For further information:  

Anne Halinen 
Chair of the Central Election Committee 
danha034@edu.xamk.fi  

Joonas Soukkio 
Executive Director 
joonas.soukkio@xamk.fi 
050 477 7187  

Have a wonderful spring, run for the Representative Council, and remember to vote at the end of March!

The Student Union of the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Kaakko, is organizing supplementary elections for the Representative Council on April 7–13th, 2026. In the elections, three (3) regular members and a maximum of twenty (20) deputy members will be elected to the Representative Council. The elections will be conducted by electronic voting. 

All members of the student union who have paid their membership fees by 28th of March 2026 at 23:58 are eligible to stand as candidates. The nomination period will begin on March 3rd, 2026, at 8:00 and end on March 12th, 2026, at 23:59. The nomination period has been extended starting at 12:00 on March 16th, and the new nomination period ends at 23:59 on March 29th.

Candidates may form electoral alliances consisting of at least two candidates. Electoral alliances may in turn form electoral groups. 

All members of the student union who have paid their membership fees are eligible to vote in the elections. Membership will be verified no later than nine (9) days before the start of voting. You are a member of the student union if you have a valid student card or Slice mobile student card issued by Kaakko.  

Voting takes place electronically via a link sent to your student email address. Voting for the representative elections begins on April 7th, 2026, at 8:00 and is open until April 13th, 2026, at 23:59.

• Election Regulations (only in Finnish)  
• Representative Council Elections 
• Representative Council 
• Representative Council Regulations(Only in Finnish)  

Election Schedule: 

• 3.3.2026: Candidate nomination begins at 08:00 
• 12.3.2026: Candidate nomination ends at 23:59
  
• 16.3.2026 extended  nomination period begins at 12:00
• 29.3.2026 extended nomination period  ends at 23:59
• 31.3.2026: Candidates and election numbers announced 
• 7.4.2026: Early voting begins at 08:00 
• 13.4.2026: Official voting day / Voting ends at 23:59 
• 15.4. 2026: Vote counting 
• 17.4.2026: Results announcement 

For further information: 

Anne Halinen
Keskusvaalilautakunnan puheenjohtaja
danha034@edu.xamk.fi 

Joonas Soukkio
Toiminnanjohtaja
joonas.soukkio@xamk.fi
050 477 7187 

Hello! My name is Miia and I came to Opiskelijakunta Kaakko for the TEO course through Eduko, i.e. for the learning in working life course. I’m in the second year of a bachelor’s degree in media and visual expression, so I’ll mainly be doing communication, especially Christmas-themed social media publications. I’m better and I like creating pictures more than making sensible texts and I hope to learn a lot more about the graphic side while I’m here.

It is important for me to be able to do whatever work is asked of me at a fast pace, it is very important for my own career now and in the future. Whether the work was done traditionally or digitally. I’m a new face in art anyway, so I’ll take all the possible lessons I can get. I’ve been in a rehabilitation job in Kaakko before also approx. 2 years ago and then after a long time I was able to make my own style of picture soles with help.

It is important for me to make my own handprint visible in the pictures with humor, but of course in such a way that the main point remains and is clear. It’s really nice to be back in a nice working environment with these guys. You learn a lot here and you get involved in everything you can, as long as you want it!

Student Union Kaakko’s Representative Council Autumn Meeting will be held on February 15th, 2024, at 5:00 PM. The meeting will be conducted both online via Teams and on-campus.

You can find the meeting agenda here. (only in finnish)

To join the Representative Council meeting via Teams, click here

Welcome to the meeting!

For more information:

Esa Hämäläinen
Presidet of the Representative Council
esa.hamalainen@opiskelijakuntakaakko.fi

Sauli Sarjus
Executive Director
sauli.sarjus@opiskelijakuntakaakko.fi