What is going on in the field of academic affairs advocacy?

Uncategorized / 30.9.2026

Academic affairs are a vast field overall, but it is not a stretch to say that studies, in particular, play a relatively central role in the lives of many students. Curriculum, the general organisation of studies, opportunities for student participation, and the accessibility of education are all issues that can be influenced through advocacy in higher education policy. Over the past year, JYY has been working on this both within the university’s working groups and in collaboration with subject societies, as well as with JAMKO and other student unions.

Meetings with subject associations

The yearly meeting round with JYU’s subject associations is a concept that is becoming well-established at JYY, in which both the specialist and members of the boars of JYY’s academic affairs, meet with their counterparts within the subject associations operating within JYY. The tour takes a while to go through, but it is valuable not only as a means of bringing the organisations together but also as a tool for advocacy. Although our Ilokivi office is situated at a high elevation, it does not offer a view of every corner of the university. Consequently, the first-hand experience of the student associations’ representatives on the ground is a key source of information.

However, the purpose of the tour is not merely to serve as a data-collection method for JYY, but to offer student associations support in their own advocacy work. A relatively new theme that emerged in the spring discussions was the regulation of the use of artificial intelligence and its impact on teaching. In some areas, there are clearer guidelines for the use of AI, whilst in others there are not. However, the key benefit of Kierros is the dialogue with the student organisation representatives themselves.

Is free education at stake?

Access to education is one of the key priorities of the entire student union movement. Tuition fees, or at least the gradual shift towards a fee-based system, are from time to time the subject of casual speculation in public discussion. It is of the utmost importance to JYY that we do not compromise on the principle of free education, and for this reason, the proposal for Open Universities to be granted the right to award degrees, which has come up multiple times in discussions during the year, was immediately rejected by our student union. JYY has published a statement against the right to Open University degrees, as a fee-paying alternative route to obtaining a university degree would place students in an inequal position and would therefore run counter to what is perhaps JYY’s most fundamental principle of advocacy.

Working groups are the day-to-day live in advocacy work

Not all advocacy work takes the form of statements or social media posts. Much of the work takes place in various university working groups and bodies. In these working groups, JYY’s role is to bring up and promote students’ interests and wishes in university education.

Earlier this year, JYY took part in a working group that drafted guidelines for the curriculum development work, which began in April. This curriculum development work is, in fact, one of the key themes of the year. JYY is also involved in the development work of the Higher Education Group, represents students in working groups on education and the university community, and the same faces can also be found in the FORTHEM, OpiskeluPLUS and Student Life working groups, where we bring the students’ perspective to the preparation and decision-making processes. So there’s no getting away from the students’ voices at university, which is a good thing, as students generally know best when it comes to their own affairs.

The Hiugher Education Group

The University of Jyväskylä acquired a majority stake in Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences (JAMK) in December 2025. The higher education group thus formed has since made its presence felt on virtually every desk involved in advocating for students’ interests. As the higher education group is still in its early stages, this is perhaps the most fruitful time to influence its direction. For this reason, JYY and JAMKO, the student union of JAMK, have been actively involved in the group’s development programmes and workshops.

To highlight the student perspective, JYY and JAMKO organised a joint seminar on the Higher Education Group for students in September, at which the Group’s development was examined specifically from the students’ point of view. The aim was not only to bring together students from JYU and JAMKO, but also to convey the student perspective directly to the staff planning the development of the Higher Education Group.