Municipal and regional election programme, deputy mayors’ meeting, European election campaign… What links them?
The answer is close cooperation between the Student Union of Tampere University (TREY) and The Students’ Union of Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Tamko).
In Tampere, we have found a good common approach to represent the interests of all 35 000 higher education students in the city. We meet regularly on various issues, where we see opportunities to jointly the areas where we can make a difference.
The lives of university and polytechnic students may seem different, but we have more in common than we have differences. For example, inadequate mental health support services, difficulties in making ends meet and pressures on studies affect all university students. In the face of these issues, it is essential that we join forces and build bridges between all student groups.
Within the student movement there are often different opinions and views, as we study different subjects and come from different backgrounds. However, we can also find many common goals. We need to work in a united way to achieve them, because that way we will be as effective as possible.
There is already a lot of cooperation at national level, but it is important both to nurture models that are already working and to strengthen cooperation at all levels. This can be done, for example, through joint events and campaigns, and by encouraging student organisations to organise increasingly interdisciplinary events.
For us students in higher education, cooperation is not only desirable, but also essential. When university students join forces to influence policy, our message reaches decision-makers better and gets more public attention. Different views and experiences are an asset, not a barrier to cooperation. Together, we can make a real difference to the lives and futures of all students.
Noora Hakulinen, chair of TREY
Julia Väänänen, chair of Tamko