The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
27.09.2024
The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY) has decided to nominate a Master's Student in social work Mirka Nieminen as a candidate for the Board of the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) for the year 2025. ISYY's Representative Council made the decision at their meeting on 26 September 2024.
Mirka Nieminen, 25, has been a member of the ISYY Executive Board in 2023–2024 and a member of the ISYY Representative Council in 2021–2023. In the Executive Board Nieminen has worked on social policy, and as a Chair of the Executive Board.
– I am grateful for the trust of the Representative Council demonstrated. In recent years, I have been able to acquire more knowledge and passion for advocacy, and I want to use these skills to improve the current situation and future of the students, says Nieminen.
Mirka is particularly focused on themes such as improving students’ standard of living, addressing housing issues, and ensuring wellbeing. In addition to their work at ISYY, Nieminen serves as a resident representative on the Board of Kuopio Student Housing Company (Kuopas) and as a student representative on Kuopio City’s Student Affairs Negotiation Committee.
– The situation for students has significantly decreased in recent years. Students deserve the opportunity to live a dignified life through secured income, functional healthcare, and other basic needs. Cuts targeted at students and the increase in student loan affects reducing attractiveness of higher education in the future. I want us to engage in even bolder, more long-term, and unified advocacy for students next year, together with SYL, student unions, and other stakeholders, Nieminen aligns.
– I have had the privilege of observing Mirka’s work on ISYY’s Executive Board since the beginning of 2023. Mirka is a passionate, efficient, and solutions-oriented individual with knowledge and insights on issues important to students. I believe Mirka has a lot to offer for the entire student union movement, says Julia Lautala, Chair of ISYY’s Representative Council.
SYL represents Finnish university students at the national level and promotes their interests. SYL's board for 2025 will be elected at the General Assembly 15.-16.11.2024. ISYY is represented at the General Assembly with its own delegation.
Mirka Nieminen, Chair of the Executive Board, The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), mirka.nieminen(at)isyy.fi, tel. +358 44 576 8400
Helena Kansanen, Secretary General, The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), paasihteeri(at)isyy.fi, tel. +358 44 576 8417
Julia Lautala, Chair of the Representative Council, The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), epj(at)isyy.fi, tel. +358 44 576 8404