Board applicants 2026

Maiju Heikkilä (5th year early childhood education student, Pro Kasvatustieteilijät)

Hi! I’m Maiju Heikkilä, a fifth-year early childhood education student at the City center campus. My studies have been strongly influenced by student associations from the very beginning, and I have gained experience in hobby, subject, and faculty associations. Over the years, I’ve held a variety of roles, with highlights including serving as event coordinator and chair both in my own subject association, ITU ry, and in the faculty association, Kasvo ry. This year, I am also the communications organizer for HIMO ry, which has strengthened my skills in community communication. Other meaningful ways for student advocacy for me have been serving as a council member in Council of Representatives and as a student representative (halloped) on the faculty council of EDU during the past year.

I am enthusiastic about taking on new responsibilities and developing activities together with others. What motivates me in association work is particularly the sense of community, the opportunity to create meaningful experiences for others, and the knowledge that even small actions can make a difference in students’ daily lives. I thrive in situations where I can brainstorm ideas, inspire others, and bring projects to life.

My diverse experience in different roles and organizations has provided me with a strong foundation to actively contribute to the student union board and to develop the student community further. Through various organizational roles, I have learned to plan communications, coordinate projects, and lead different teams. I am especially passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and its potential to bring students together across organizational and campus boundaries.

Nette Länsipuro (6th year political science student, Tampereen yliopiston vihreä vasemmisto)

Hi, I’m Nette Länsipuro, a social scientist studying political science for the sixth year. I’ve been active in my home organization, Iltakoulu ry, for three years now, first as an official, then as the board member responsible for working life affairs and alumni, and this year as the chairperson. I also gained a lot of different view points on organizational activities during my internship.

I am applying to the TREY board because I want to develop our university community and my own skills in organizational activities. I want to work on issues that are important to me, such as the livelihoods of students and well-being, as well as organizations.

I am persistent by nature and get easily excited about any topic. I am motivated by the idea that community spirit is about actions, not just values. That is why I strive in everything I do to create an atmosphere where everyone can participate and be heard. I would be a great addition to the TREY board as I want to be a part of building a caring and inclusive community that carries us all forward.

Silja Volanen (4th year student in mechanical engineering)

Hi! I’m Silja Volanen, and I’m running for TREY’s board in 2026. I want to be part of TREY’s work next year because I’m eager to contribute to the wellbeing of our entire student community. I want to take part in student advocacy and help build a more communal, well-being-oriented, and equal student culture.

I’m currently in my fourth year of studying mechanical engineering, but I began my studies back in 2020 as one of the first Urbanum students. I’ve been active in several student organizations since my fuksi year, and through them, I’ve truly found my passion.

I’ve always admired the strength of our student community, and I’ve felt it both an honor and a responsibility to do my part. In my home guild’s board, I’ve had responsibilities from alumni relations to event coordination, and this year I’ve served as Wappu Secretary of Tampereen Teekkarit and as a member of the team behind Suomen suurin Wappu.

In short, I want to give back to the student community that means so much to me, and ensure that Tampere’s student culture and community continue to be the best in Finland—and in the world!

Hafizur Rahman Chowdhury (2nd Year Masters student in Medical physic and Biomedical Instrumentation, International Representatives Group)

Hi everyone! I’m Hafizur Rahman, a master’s student in Medical Physics and Biomedical Instrumentation. I’m deeply passionate about internationality and building a university environment where every student, no matter their background, feels welcome, supported, and included.

I’ve grown up in a truly international setting, being born and raised in Saudi Arabia, studying in Bangladesh, and now continuing my studies in Finland. Living across these cultures has shaped my perspective on inclusivity, diversity, and global collaboration. It has also inspired me to ensure that the voices of international students are heard in every decision that shapes our university community.

I’ve been active as the Secretary on the INTO board, an event manager at TUMA, a UniBuddy ambassador, an international tutor in Bioner, and a two-time exchange tutor in INTO. Through these roles, I’ve gained deep insight into the needs, challenges, and strengths of international students, and I want to continue promoting a more open and supportive student community for all.

Hiski Hämäläinen (5th year Information Techonology student, Kahden Tähden Teekkarit)

Hey there! I’m Hiski, a fifth-year TiTe student, and I’m applying for TREY’s executive board. My sector-specific interests lie in social affairs, particularly municipal politics, as well as communication and events.

I have extensive experience in event work. At TiTe, I have served as an events and XQ coordinator. I was also involved in founding Robo’s event activities, acting as Robo’s first event coordinator. This spring, I have been one of the Wappusecretaries for the Teekkari Union of Tampere, as part of the Wapputeam. I thus have strong experience in teamwork, and project management has become very familiar to me through many different event projects, including leading committees.

After this spring, my motivation for broader initiatives affecting the whole community has reached its peak. TREY’s activities would provide an opportunity for me to pursue this passion, for example in the realm of municipal politics.

Although my expertise is primarily in events, my organizational experience extends beyond that. I am a proactive person and commit fully to whatever I undertake. I bring energy, perseverance, and a sense of humor to my work. I believe these qualities are valuable in all sectors. I am an excellent team player and am eager to bring enthusiastic and active engagement to TREY, ready to develop its activities based on my own experiences.

Rudi Valtonen (4. vuosikurssin filosofian opiskelija, Tampereen yliopiston vihreä vasemmisto)

Hi! I’m Rudi Valtonen, 4th year philosophy student and I’m running for vice chair of TREY and the sectors of social affairs, education policies, and associations. I’m interested in many sectors, because I have a wide experience in organisational work and an urge to learn more.

This year I’ve worked as the chair of Viva ry and as a member of The Council of Representatives. I also have worked as the vice chair of Aatos ry and before that my responsibilities were tutoring and the equality of the association. I have also been a member of the youth council of Tampere when I was younger.

I have a lot of experience from working in associations ranging from administrative work to communication, student advocacy and organizing events. I have experience in writing rules, privacy statements, reports, political statements and such, and also I have coordinated big events such as Työväensitsit and interdisciplinary fuksi events.

I’m proactive and honest and equality is the root of everything I do. I easily offer help for people I work with but I’m not afraid to ask for help either.

Hannes Töysä (2nd year social research student, Tampereen yliopiston vihreä vasemmisto)

Moro! I’m Hannes and i am second-year student of social research. In this year i’ve been working as the worklife and alumni coordinator in our student association. I will be applying student advocacy positions on TREY board.

Before getting into university, I graduated as a nurse from TAMK. After that, I have worked in addiction treatment services and in a needle exchange point.

This has involved both healthcare and a lot of practical work to solve people’s problems with housing and livelihood.

I’m also a member of Nemo Ry (Neurodiverse university students in the Tampere region)

In addition to my own lived experience, I am also able to consider accessibility from a professional perspective.

Thoughts on the challenges facing TREY’s board next year:

I’m concerned about the government’s decision to remove students from the housing allowance. The situation is made worse by the weak employment situation. This also means that many students are unable to find jobs for the summer.

I would be eager to work on these issues and help improve the worsening circumstances of students.

In my work, I am considerate of others and calm in interactions. I am particularly oriented toward teamwork and quite skilled at it. I’ve also been through quite a few tough situations, so I don’t get easily shaken.

Ele Rantasalmi (1st year administrative sciences student, TREY:n Demariopiskelijat)

Hi! My name is Ele Rantasalmi, and I am a second-year administrative sciences student. I completed my first year of studies at the University of Vaasa. I have been involved in the board of the Social Democratic Students of Finland and have also been active in local political student movements.

I am particularly interested in working with student advocacy, especially in relation to local partners. To ensure students everyday well-being and livelihood, effective advocacy is needed when it comes to affordable student housing, accessible public transportation, and cooperation with local employers.

I want to be part of building a better daily life and a stronger position for students, both locally and nationally. I believe that through cooperation and active influencing, we can make sure that the voices of TREY’s students are heard.

Eero Tammivuori (3rd year Sustainable Urban Development student, International Representatives Group)

Hiya! I’m Eero, a third-year Sustainable Urban Development student, and I’m applying for a board position in internationality and tutoring. My motivation to apply comes from my strong appreciation for a sense of community. I want to build a student union that is genuinely accessible and represents all of its members.

In my own guild, I’ve served as a Fuksi Officer and Tutoring Responsible, raising two generations of fuksis. Before moving to Tampere, I was already active in the scouts as a three-term board member and age group responsible among other roles. Those around me describe me as a trustworthy and inquisitive person who fosters a positive and open atmosphere.

I’m particularly interested in developing internationality as an integrated part of the activities of the student union – not just as a separate theme. It’s important to me that students who are often left in the shadows, such as international students or members of smaller associations, feel equally included in our community. I believe the student union grows stronger when all actors are heard and everyone feels like they can make a difference.

Richard Äyräs (7th year civil engineer student)

Hi, I’m Richard Äyräs and I am applying to TREY’s board 2026. Primarily I am interested in internationality and with it I am also interested in social affairs and strategy work.

I have association experience from my home guild, Tampereen Rakentajakilta and from International Teekkari guild INTO everything from tutoring to being head organizer for a 3 day long civil engineer student event. I also have experience of being in strategy and equality teams in TARAKI and experience of almost all sectors in club association level.

I have been part of international work for almost my whole association career, latest being the first officer of international affairs in the Teekkari Union of Tampere. In both associations I have gotten a good general view of international affairs in Hervanta but also understand the international affairs of the whole university community level.

Over the years I have grown my interest in TREY and get to utilize my experience form my association career and use them for the benefit of the whole university community. As a board member I am open, and helpful, always ready to try and learn something new. I give prominence to good communication and that everyone is well informed within a board.