Successes in Advocacy

The student union of Savonia University of Applied Sciences, commonly known as SAVOTTA, is constantly working to improve the student experience for its members. This includes offering various student benefits and services, as well as voicing students’ concerns within Savonia University of Applied Sciences. What has SAVOTTA achieved in recent years?

Establishment of the Student Union

SAVOTTA, the student union of Savonia University of Applied Sciences, was registered in 1999, although its activities began in 1992. The student union is a public law entity based on the Finnish higher education law, and its main task is to represent students’ interests and ensure smooth studying. The student union acts as the voice of all students in meetings with various Savonia entities.

Sports Services

SAVOTTA, in cooperation with ISYY, offers higher education students discounted sports services. The SYKETTÄ services have been available in Kuopio since 2014 and now reach over 11,500 members of the higher education community. Read more about SYKETTÄ services here.

Student Cafés

SAVOTTA operates two student cafés: cafeSAVOTTA and Bar & cafeSAVOTTA, which opened in January 2020. The cafés provide affordable snack options for students and staff in the middle of busy daily routines. The new Bar & cafeSAVOTTA also serves draft and bottled drinks, as it has a liquor license. Both cafés assist students with membership matters and offer comfortable spaces for studying or playing board games with peers.

Benefits & Discounts

SAVOTTA strives to make student life more affordable (and easier… and more fun). As part of this, SAVOTTA works closely with Student’s Kuopio to offer students various discounts around the campus cities, saving students hundreds of euros. Some of these great discounts can also be found on Slice.fi.

In addition to traditional restaurant and store-based discounts, SAVOTTA offers two free months of Savon Sanomat and a student calendar for the upcoming academic year to new members. The student cafés on the Kuopio campus also offer discounted coffee and affordable ski and movie tickets. Read more about student benefits here.

FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service)

The goal of equal access to healthcare for all higher education students has been a long-standing advocacy issue. In spring 2019, the Finnish Parliament approved a bill regarding healthcare services for higher education students. The President signed the law into effect on May 17, 2019, and it came into force on January 1, 2021.

This legislative reform means that from the beginning of 2021, YTHS will also be responsible for primary healthcare services for university of applied sciences students. YTHS will provide the services that were previously managed by municipalities in cooperation with educational institutions. These services include not only general healthcare but also expanded mental health and dental care services.