Student representatives are an important part of METKA’s work for students’ benefit. They represent students’ viewpoints in the Metropolia’s decision-making. METKA wishes that students from different fields and classes in Metropolia apply for the open positions. Membership of the student union is not required to be a student representative. The student union gives student representatives a training for their duties and supports them in their work.
Some of the positions require fluent Finnish but all English-speaking students are free to apply to be a student representative in those advisory councils that represent English-speaking degree programs.
Advisory Councils
The secondary application round of student representatives for the degree programs’ Advisory Councils is now open! The application period is continuous and this application round includes those positions that were not filled in the first application round.
Read the election announcement here!
Fill the application form here!
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences LTD
The board of Metropolia Ltd exercises the highest decision-making power in matters related to the university of applied sciences’ strategy, finances, organization and management rules. The board also decides within the limits of the legislation on the number of students and strategic questions related to studying. Note! The working language of the board is Finnish.
Read the election announcement here!
Fill the application form here!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a student representative?
A student representative is a hero of students. They represents the student perspective in the decision-making bodies of Metropolia UAS. The student representative does not have to have any special experience or other merits, but their main task is to know and tell about the student’s everyday life.
What does a student representative do?
The student representative attends the meetings of the decision-making body and is a full member. The student representative can be informed about the issues under preparation and can also express their views outside the meetings. An active student representative can influence and bring about changes in areas such as course content or student services.
What does a student representative get?
METKA supports and guides student representatives in their work. Training is provided to student representatives to teach them the knowledge and skills they need in the position. Student representatives can learn e.g. how to lobby, present themselves and network with employers and within Metropolia. If they so wish, student representatives can also get a certificate and study credits if they have actively participated in the activities of the body and in the meetings and training sessions organised by METKA.
Does it take a lot of time to be a student representative?
Degree advisory councils only meet 1-4 times a year. The other bodies meet about once a month. In addition to the meetings, it is recommended to familiarize themself with the meeting materials beforehand. The term of a student representative on the advisory council is one year, but it is possible and even recommended to apply for a second term. The term in Legal Protection Committee and Board of Examiners is two years.
What are the criteria for selection?
All student representatives are selected on the basis of applications. Selection is based on motivation and possible experience in a similar role. The aim is to select representatives from different fields of study and degree programs. METKA prioritizes applicants who can serve as student representative for the full term. The decision is made by METKA’s Board or Representative Council, depending on the body. Applicants will have the opportunity to present themselves at the meeting where the decision made.
What do student representatives decide?
Most student representative positions are primarily in institutions related to the development of education and other activities of Metropolia. The influence of a student representative depends largely on the student’s own activity and motivation. Examples of issues to be discussed include curricula, teaching methods and the relevance of education to the working life.
Am I eligible to be a student representative?
Any Metropolia student can apply and be elected as a student representative. You do not have to be a member of METKA, nor do you have to be involved in other METKA’s activities. You can also apply as a student representative as an absent student, but graduated are not eligible to be a student representative. Only students in a specific degree program are eligible to apply to an advisory council that represents this degree program.
Why is there no advisory board for my degree on the list?
Not all advisory councils are currently active and some are in the process of determining how they will operate in the future. Therefore, it is not possible to apply for a student representative. Applicants can still submit an application expressing their enthusiasm to be involved in building up the activities of advisory councils for their degree program.
Do I get study credits for this activity?
You can get credits for an activity if you actively participate in it. Metropolia’s Elective Student Activity Studies form a so-called minor subject. The purpose of the courses is to support students who are active in e.g. student associations and student unions, as student representatives or tutoring. Enrollment for these courses takes place annually in the OMA. The courses last for one calendar year and include some small written assignments and participation in training sessions organised by the Student Union. The detailed content and objectives are set out in the study guide. For further information on the courses, please contact the Student Union’s Advocacy Specialist.
Can I apply if I don’t speak Finnish?
Some of the positions require fluent Finnish but all English-speaking students are free to apply to be a student representative in those advisory councils that represent English-speaking degree programs.
This post is also available in Suomi.