Happy Tuesday!

ISYY encourages its members to participate in the global WWF’s environmental campaign called Earth Hour! Earth Hour traditionally includes switching off lights simultaneously in different parts of the country. Switching off the lights is a symbolic gesture to show concern for the climate and environment, and to demand action from decision-makers. 

Earth Hour will be celebrated on Saturday, 22 March 2025, from 8:30 to 9:30 PM. According to polls, approximately 1.5 million Finns annually express their concern about the state of the environment by participating in Earth Hour. Hundreds of organizations across the country, from educational institutions to companies and from municipalities to organizations, also participate in the event. Join in! Read more about the event here.

Have a nice week!

Kind regards,
Elina
Coordinator of International Affairs and Administration

ISYY's Smile's and Complaints week is here again!

This week it is time to give some feedback and some acknowledgement once again. What deserves acknowledgement? What’s not working? Tell us during the Smiles and Complaints Week!

This springs’ Smiles and Complaints Week will be held 17.3.-23.3.2025. During the Smiles and Complaints Week, you can send feedback via ISYY to the Student Union, the University, FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service), campus restaurants, or any other party involved in students' life.

Anonymous feedback can be written to Post-it notes from Monday to Friday in either the Snellmania or Canthia lobby in Kuopio. You can give us your feedback anonymously throughout the week by filling the electronic form online, so you can give feedback regardless of your location. All feedback is treated confidentially.

ISYY awarded recognitions at the 15th Annual Celebration!

The 15th Annual Celebration of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY) was held 14 March 2025 in Kuopio. At the Celebration ISYY awarded distinguished Student Union actors according to its Symbol Regulations. ISYY members have also had a change to suggest, who should receive a recognition!

This year ISYY awarded one Medal of Honour, one Golden Medal of Distinction, seven Silver Medals of Distinction and ten Medals of the Student Union. In addition to the awarded Medals the Student Union also awarded 15 Diplomas of Honour.

The Medal of Honour was awarded this year for Tapio Määttä!

ISYY warmly congratulates all who received a recognition this year!

The photo is from ISYY's Celebration 2024 and was taken by Klavdia Parkkonen.

ISYY club meetings

ISYY clubs' meetings at Lukema (ISYY office in Studentia, C door):

• Tue 18.3. at 5 pm Kärmes (board game club)
• Sun 23.3. at 1 pm UEF Student Bible Club
• Mon 24.3. at 5 pm Kärmes (board game club)
• Sun 30.3. at 1 pm UEF Student Bible Club

New SYKETTÄ website and mobile app

SYKETTÄ Kuopio has a new look, the website has been renewed.

• sign in to website via reservation calendar

• choose city -> Kuopio

We recommend that you update the new app from both the App Store and Google Play. The app was updated last week.

• App Store

• Play Store

• The users can activate themselves as present for the class either with a QR code or a numeric code provided by the instructor.

If you notice any problems with the app or the website’s booking calendar, please report them using the error reporting form. This will allow us to fix the bugs as quickly as possible.

Hey UEF student! Are you our new UEF student ambassador?

We are looking for international student ambassadors to assist in international marketing and student
recruitment activities of the university in the academic year 2025-2026. We welcome applicants from
diverse nationalities and backgrounds, who possess an enthusiastic, motivated attitude and fluent English skills.

Ambassador tasks include i.e. attending webinars and other virtual events and other communication and marketing tasks related to the international degree programmes and participating modeling for the university brochures and advertisements. Your main responsibility includes sharing your firsthand
experiences of living in Finland, discussing your studies, and providing insights into student life to potential applicants.

You will receive training for the position, and the tasks will be compensated.

The application closes 7 April 2025.

How would you act if you happened to be an outsider in a racist situation?

The Week Against Racism takes place this week. The aim of the week is to encourage people to recognise and intervene in racism. To start the week, we want to challenge the entire UEF community: you, your colleagues, students, departments and units to test how you would act if you encountered racism in your everyday life.

Test how you would act in racist situations using the "Identify and Act" navigator produced by the Finnish Red Cross. All the scenarios in the test are based on real life experiences. The test will provide you with information and guidelines for addressing racism. Even a small gesture can be a significant turning point in another person's life!

Take part in the challenge and take the test here.

Let us build Kuopio together, Your Voice does Matter!

We want YOU to be a part of it! The City of Kuopio is working on new strategies to create a more inclusive and engaging community for international residents. Your thoughts and experiences are crucial in making Kuopio a better place for everyone to live, work, and thrive.

The survey will just take few minutes to complete. Your responses will remain confidential and anonymous.

Thank you for your participation! We appreciate your time and contribution.

Together, we can make Kuopio a more welcoming and vibrant city.

For more information, please contact: futuretalentsteam@savonia.fi

Best regards,
Future Talent Team & Kuopio City Council

The library is invoicing overdue and reservation fees at the end of March

We are invoicing unpaid overdue and reservation fees at the end of March. We send the bills by e-mail. You can avoid the invoicing by paying your fees in advance on UEF Primo or at Joensuu or Kuopio campus library. The minimum limit for online payment is 1 euro, a payment card is accepted on the spot. For more information, contact library@uef.fi.

Valmiiksi säröillä – The Well-being Repair Tour visits Kuopio 27.3.!

Well-being Repair Tour in Kuopio March 27, 1PM – 3 PM, at Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Kampussydän (Microkatu 1).

University students are also warmly welcome to attend that event!

The event will feature: 

• Well-being Bingo based on science and research – with a chance to win various well-being-related prizes! 
• Expert speed dating, where students can easily connect with professionals working in different areas of well-being, such as health, finances, skills development, housing, and community. 
• Laughter and entertainment with stand-up performances by Roosa Maskonen (2023 Stand-up Newcomer of the Year) and Arttu Järvinen (2022 Stand-up Newcomer of the Year)! Please notice that this part of the event will be in Finnish.  

In addition, free coffee, tea, and snacks will be available for all attendees.

The event is free of charge, but space is limited—so be sure to reserve your spot in advance via Kide.app.

Welcome!

Read more about the event via the link below. Scroll down for English.

#KPOWEEKINENGLISH

Maria Nuutinen: Arjen Helmiä 14.3.-6.4.
Galleria Ars Libera, Maaherrankatu 9
Finnish jewellery artist Maria Nuutinen combines in her work everyday objects and elements related to adornment, like pearls and fake nails. In her hands the objects that are familiar from everyday life, take on new meanings and intended use. Free entry.

Kompassi's Young Artists Exhibition 17.-22.3.
Kuopio Main Library
During the anti-racism week, a group of young immigrant artists will be exhibiting their work in the lobby. You can also take part in a self-guided workshop in connection with the exhibition. Draw or write your own greetings to a destination in the world of your choice, in a language you know.

Kuopio City Orchestra open rehearsal, Thu 20.3. at 12-13, Kuopio250-event
Kuopio Music Centre
Come and enjoy a musical treat at this evening's concert and see how the repertoire is being finalized on the day of the general rehearsal. Free admission.

Japanese Calligraphy Workshop, Sat 22.3. at 10-10.30
Main Library workshop space (1st floor)
Japanese Calligraphy workshop will be held in English by a Japanese exchange student. There will also be library staff present to assist you. Free entrance.

Coffee & Friends 

The café meets on Tuesdays at 3-5 pm at Lukema in Kuopio. 

Coffee & Friends event offers low-threshold hanging out after lectures and the opportunity to meet other students over coffee and a snack. All students of the University of Eastern Finland are welcome to Coffee & Friends. You can come to the café alone or with a friend. In addition, Coffee & Friends has a changing chill programme. Participation in the programme is voluntary and you can come for a while or for the whole time. Participation is free of charge and does not require pre-registration. 

You can find more information and the programme of Coffee & Friends on ISYY's website.

Library Language Cafés

The Library Language Cafés are open, relaxed events where you can practice speaking Finnish in a comfortable atmosphere. When you strike up a conversation, it’s easy to get to know new people and cultures. Of course, you can also participate just by listening!

Library staff will also take part in the games and conversations and collect ideas for future gatherings.

So come along, bring a relaxed attitude and a smile. You can take your whole family with you if you like. Coffee and tea available!

The events are free of charge, and need no signing up. Welcome!

Neulamäki Library Language Café:

• Juontotie 6, 70150, Kuopio
• Tuesdays 5PM – 6PM
• Mar. 25th, Apr. 29th, May 27th.

Weekly Feed is the English language newsletter of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY). You are receiving this letter in your email because you are a member of ISYY and are studying at Kuopio campus or because you have joined the mailing list yourself.

Weekly Feed provides you with current information on matters related to the Student Union, UEF or other organisations close to students, such as FSHS. In addition, the newsletter provides you with information on events taking place at campus or the campus city.

Weekly Feed is published on Tuesdays during the academic year, with the exception of holidays and a few other days. If you do not want to receive the newsletter anymore, you can unsubscribe the letter via the unsubscription link located on the top of the letter.

You will find more information on ISYY's newsletters and data protection on ISYY's website.