
A few months ago, Aalto University students Airi Nevalainen and Joona Huikuri started as Aalto's student representatives in the Unite! SURE! Airi Nevalainen has just graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics and started her master's studies. Joona Huikuri is studying in the Information and Service Management program at the School of Business and is currently graduating with a bachelor's degree. In addition to their studies, both have been involved in a wide range of activities. Airi has worked e.g. on the Board of Aalto Economics, and as the student representative of the School of Business's teaching competence assessment group. Joona has founded a couple of student associations, and has also served for two years as vice chairman of the higher education committee of KY, the Aalto university business school students’ association.
What is your role in Unite?
You have worked with Unite! for a few months now. How does it feel?
From your point of view, what is the advantage of working or studying at a Unite! university? What do you think is special about the Unite! Alliance?
Joona: The purpose of Unite! is to create a degree-granting meta-campus between all its member universities. However, this sounds like a rather distant idea to me. I don’t think this will be fully realized at least during my studies. The corona pandemic canceled my bachelor exchange twice and I had to make many preparations twice for an exchange period that never happened. Unite! could allow students an easier exchange experience where certain courses can be taken at different universities in Europe. Being able to choose courses that best match your degree would also make the most of the "exchange", which seems to be rare, especially in bachelor exchanges. International co-operation can also facilitate other practical issues that act as a barrier or a barrier to inter-university mobility.
How can we better reach students and get them involved in Unite?

More information about her involvement within the Unite! community:
At Unite!, students are equal partners and participate in the network's advisory bodies as well as in the planning and implementation of various activities. Students also have their own association, SURE! - Students in Unite! for Representation and Empowerment.