This year, the student union of Häme University of Applied Sciences took on a new area of responsibility at the beginning of the current year, which helps to develop operations from a sustainable development perspective.
The Sustainable Student Union became a new area of responsibility for the activities of the student union. The vice-chair of the board, Meeri Järvi, will start in this area of responsibility.
HAMK published a blog post on the subject, which you can read below.
Meeri Järvi starts as HAMKO’s first Sustainable Student Union coordinator
The Student Union of Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMKO) strengthens the perspective of sustainable development in its operations. At the beginning of this year, the Sustainable Student Union was added as a new area of responsibility to HAMKO’s Board of Directors. Vice-Chair Meeri Järvi will be the first coordinator for sustainable student union.
Sustainable development has already been part of the student union’s activities and goals in many ways. Now, with the new Sustainable Student Union area, the role and significance of sustainability will increase, and in the future, special emphasis will be placed on the evaluation and systematic development of sustainability as a whole and its different dimensions. Managing sustainability as a whole requires long-term work within the student union, among students and in the operations of the school, says Aleksi Kurvi, Executive Director of HAMKO.
Meeri Järvi, who is responsible for area of HAMKO’s Sustainable Student Union, is 25 years old and is in her third year of studies in Hämeenlinna to become a Bachelor of Social Services. Meeri is serving her second term as Vice-Chair of HAMKO’s Board of Directors. She is excited about her new role and the opportunities it brings to promote sustainable development.
What do you expect from your position as a sustainable student union coordinator?
I look forward to hearing other people’s opinions and development suggestions and discussing the topic with students, school staff and external parties. I also hope that I will bring about changes that will continue beyond my term and that the world will become a slightly better place.
Meeri Järvi will also join the Sustainable HAMK group. HAMKO’s executive director Aleksi Kurvi has been participating in the sustainable HAMK group for years and will continue as HAMKO’s second representative in addition to Meeri. One of the goals of the Sustainable HAMK program is for HAMK to be the most prosperous higher education community in Finland by 2030. The student union’s more active involvement in advancing sustainable development strengthens our entire higher education community.
Meeri Järvi, who is responsible for area of HAMKO’s Sustainable Student Union, is 25 years old and is in her third year of studies in Hämeenlinna to become a Bachelor of Social Services. Meeri is serving her second term as Vice Chairman of HAMKO’s Board of Directors. She is excited about her new role and the opportunities it brings to promote sustainable development.
You have started as the Sustainable Student Union coordinator at HAMKO. What does it mean?
Each board member has one or more areas of responsibility in which they put a lot of effort during their board year. Last year, I got the idea that it would be important for our student union to have a person who pays special attention to sustainability. That is why this year we have added it to our areas of responsibility.
Since the responsibility is completely new, we do not yet have a clear plan for its content. At the beginning of the year, I will focus on what we at HAMKO are already doing for sustainability and whether there are things we can develop. I would also like to hear students’ opinions on the matter. I will examine this both through the survey and through discussions. I will also pay attention to sustainability in our procurement, favoring domestic and high-quality products.
Why do you think sustainability is important to students?
Sustainable development is important because things have to change in order to have a better future for us and others after us. We can all do things for a more sustainable world. I also find it very interesting to look at the different forms of sustainability and their effects. Sustainable development can actually be a lot of fun.
I believe that almost every student thinks at least a little about the importance of sustainable development. Students are well aware of different ways of influencing and they also make a difference. I hope that with this area of responsibility, we will be able to get more students’ views on the matter out and together we will be able to create good changes in our everyday lives.
How can you contribute to the advancement of sustainable development?
There are so many ways to influence sustainable development. And each of us is already doing something for a better future, perhaps even without realizing it. You can make an impact, for example, through purchasing decisions, lifestyle changes or by highlighting development points in speeches. Everyone can also think about how to behave in the company of others, speak respectfully and help others when needed. Sustainability also includes social aspect.
What do you expect from your position as a sustainable student union coordinator?
I look forward to hearing other people’s opinions and development suggestions and discussing the topic with students, school staff and external parties. I also hope that I will bring about changes that will continue beyond my term and that the world will become a slightly better place.
Meeri Järvi will also join the Sustainable HAMK group. HAMKO’s executive director Aleksi Kurvi has been participating in the sustainable HAMK group for years and will continue as HAMKO’s second representative in addition to Meeri. One of the goals of the Sustainable HAMK program is for HAMK to be the most prosperous higher education community in Finland by 2030. The student union’s more active involvement in advancing sustainable development strengthens our entire higher education community.