Miika Tiainen, President

Hello there! I’m Miika Tiainen and President of the Board this year at SYL. In practice, this entails leading and carrying the ultimate responsibility for our advocacy work. My responsibilities also include a great deal of lobbying and external representation. I am studying Information System Science at the University of Turku. In my free time, I am on the lookout for the perfect pizza, crave new house plants, and sometimes I just might happen to find myself at the gym.

Petra Laiti, Vice President, communications, development cooperation, language affairs

Hi! I’m Petra Laiti and Vice President of the SYL Board this year. I am also in charge of communications and development cooperation. Outside of SYL, I am pursuing studies for a Master’s degree in Economics at Hanken School of Economics, and I am also the chairperson of the Finnish Sámi Youth Organisation.

Joel Lindqvist, Social policy (student finances, housing, equality affairs)

Greetings! I’m Joel, and I am the board member in charge of SYL’s advocacy work in the fields of student finances, housing, and equality. On a practical level, this entails envisioning the next steps for student finances, representing SYL in the steering group for the report on the need for building more student apartments at the Ministry of the Environment, and overseeing matters of equality both at SYL events as well as in everyday life at the office. I am from Helsinki, born and bred, and I study Social and Public Policy at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Helsinki. In my free time, I enjoy underground discos and other mystical cultural events.

Jenny Vaara, Education policy (educational content, study ability), working life

Hi all! I’m Jenny Vaara and in charge of education and working life policies in the SYL board of 2018. To be more precise, I am responsible for matters pertaining to educational content, developing education, and study ability. Outside of SYL, I intend to balance board work with sports and enjoying nature and culture. I am going to ensure also that I have some time for finishing my studies at the Faculty of Education at the University of Oulu.

Ada Saarinen, social policy (student health care, wellbeing), environmental affairs, generational policy

Hey all! I’m Ada Saarinen from the University of Helsinki and I am the SYL 2018 board member responsible for advocacy work in the areas of student health, the environment, and generational policy. I am motivated both by standing up for students’ rights as well as more generally seeking answers to the challenges our generation faces. In my time off, I enjoy listening to audiobooks and drawing mediocre portraits.

Teemu Vasama, education policy (education system, student admission), international affairs (international students), associations

Hi! My name is Teemu, and I am a member of the 2018 SYL Board. I’m from Jyväskylä, and that is also where I study – now in my fifth year. I have been active at the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä and in student societies. At SYL, I oversee education policy, international affairs, and organisational cooperation – looking forward to a most interesting year!

Petteri Heliste, International affairs and education policy

Hiya! I’m Petteri, the SYL board member in charge of EU affairs and international cooperation. This means that I work to ensure that the voice of Finnish university students is heard also on a transnational level, and that I will work closely with other student organisations in Europe. I’m studying Engineering Physics at Aalto University, and have become specialised in fusion energy. In my leisure time, I am a “foodie”. I also work on my photography skills and keep myself updated about the goings on in global politics.