Outgoing UTSU board: We are proud we did not give up
In early July, a new team will take over from the current board of the University of Tartu Student Union (UTSU). Renar Kihho, who has been the chairman of the student union for two years, along with vice-chairs Teele Kanarbik and Anette-Mai Pirk-Birk, say that while their time in office was challenging, it was also educational and brought new knowledge, skills, contacts, and a clearer outlook for the future.
Your time on UTSU’s board is coming to an end. How do you feel looking back on these two years?
Teele: With good feelings! These two years have been very intense – we have done a lot and had numerous tasks. There were things I could not have imagined two years ago – from the teacher training module survey to organising the national university ball with nearly a thousand participants. But it feels great that everything got done, nothing was left unfinished, and I did not abandon Anette and Renar. I feel a complete release of tension!
Anette-Mai: I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I am glad the hard work is done, and we have ended on a high note. On the other, it is sad to move on, and it feels odd to be happy that our time here is over.
Renar: I mostly feel good too. When I became chair, I was completely outside of UTSU – I had not been a student representative before, so it was quite a challenge at first. Now I feel I have gained and learned what I aimed for – getting to know the university and being part of decision-making. I never once felt like I was unable to contribute or speak up on behalf of students.
What are you most proud of during your term?
Renar: Overall, I am proud that even though we had ups and downs, disagreements in the board, the bureau or in the union, everything still worked, and the work never stopped. I am glad that the whole team and all the student representatives I met genuinely want to improve the university.
Teele: In terms of events, I am proudest of organising the national university balls. I also think the onboarding evening for new student representatives turned out really well – something that had not been done in this format before. After the election results in May, we brought representatives together to get them involved, share information about the upcoming academic year and help them get to know each other. Personally, I have gained a lot – I used to get nervous meeting the rector, vice-rector for academic affairs, academic staff or even students. But now I have learned how to speak confidently. My communication skills and other essential life skills have grown significantly – that is incredibly valuable!
I am glad that all the student representatives I met genuinely want to make the university better.
Anette-Mai: I am pleased with our international visibility. We have been very active in the Enlight network, and it is great to see growing interest in UTSU from abroad. Even outside Enlight, we have hosted representatives from Latvian and British universities. The international aspect of our work has been really exciting!
Will you attend the ball in the future if invited?
All: Yes!
So, you will not be keeping your distance from UTSU in the future?
Anette-Mai: (Laughs.) We were just talking about founding an alumni group for UTSU.
Which other events or projects are you proud of?
Anette-Mai: The Development Fund. Through it, student organisations can apply for funding to run training sessions and other activities that strengthen the connection between students and the university. The project will continue at least until the end of the year, and hopefully beyond. Managing the fund has been interesting, and I am glad we could offer this opportunity to student organisations.
Renar: The allocation of dormitory places is also worth mentioning. The student parliament gave the student village suggestions on how to improve the process. Now, students willing to share rooms are prioritised at certain times, helping ensure those in real need get a place.
What challenges stand out most from your time in office?
Renar: The first challenge was assembling the student union bureau – creating a team to support the elected board. I had never done recruitment before, and it was tricky. How do you find someone who is both a good worker and a good friend?
Teele: For me, it was hard at first to understand my role within the university – was I an employee, a representative, or something in between? Eventually I realised I was there to represent students only and did not need to get involved in issues concerning university staff. Another challenge was delegating – I wanted to do everything myself! I did not quite grasp where to ask for help and where to take responsibility. But over time, everything settled.
Anette-Mai: I would add how difficult it is to get student representatives to attend events. We tried organising more relaxed gatherings but quickly realised that representatives are already busy and prefer purposeful meetings. It is likely a matter of choice and mindset, and organisers should not feel bad if some events are less popular. What matters is that those who attend have a good experience.
Towards the end of your term, you focused on equal treatment. Why does this matter so much to you?
Renar: Because there have been cases at the university where students or staff were discriminated against or sexually harassed, and nothing was done. Sure, we could make these public, but that is not a long-term solution. The system needs fixing to prevent unequal treatment in the future. We want everyone to feel safe and part of the university.
Do you feel you have shaped the future of UTSU in some way?
Anette-Mai: In some way, yes. I remember us saying at the start that we had big shoes to fill. Now I feel we have managed well overall, and the shoes were not too big after all.
Teele: Universities are complex structures where it is hard to bring change. Things tend to go in cycles – topics come up, get shelved, then resurface ten years later. I think our key theme was diversity. We preserved academic values but built a lot more around them.
Renar: But I guess we did not quite reach 2,000 Instagram followers! (Laughs.) But seriously – I think we have carved our own path. Some things have become more systematic, others have been renewed, and others have continued just as successfully.
In your first year on the board, you were also studying. How hard was it to manage both?
Renar: It was definitely tough. I had lectures or practical's every day alongside the work (Renar was then a fifth-year medical student – G. L. L.). I felt both my studies and UTSU suffered a bit. I am glad I took an academic break in the second year so I could focus more calmly and effectively on union work.
Anette-Mai: I think if you really want it, balancing both is not that hard. But yes – you really do have to want both.
We have done a lot and had many tasks, but it feels good that everything got done and nothing was left unfinished.
Renar: You also have to be intentional about your projects. UTSU has a development plan that outlines what activities are necessary for the organisation. If you add extra things, the workload grows, projects may remain unfinished and burden the next board. That is not the goal. The goal is for the union to function and thrive.
Has working in UTSU changed your future plans or career aspirations?
Anette-Mai: Yes! (Laughs.) While studying history in my bachelor’s, I thought I would just stick with it as long as I liked. I have always liked education, but was sure I did not want to be a teacher. But through the Enlight project, I saw another side of shaping education systems – at the international level: how things work across Europe, how funding and processes operate. It is fascinating! But we will see where life leads.
Renar: I have realised in the past few months that I enjoy having something alongside the regular 8-5 – in my case, being a junior doctor. I like the variety. It is also interesting to explore how one can contribute and grow in different fields.
What will you remember most about UTSU?
Renar: First thing that comes to mind is the 2024 winter games between universities, where we participated with the student union and collaborated for the first time with the university sports representation. That was fun! Overall, I think these two years were the most “student-like” of my student life and have greatly broadened my worldview. I have made new contacts and seen what is going on beyond the medical faculty.
Anette-Mai: I agree – definitely the most student-like two years. I feel like I learned everything there is to know about the university and was involved in various decisions. It has been a really cool period, and I am so glad I got to do it!
Teele: I think that in 50 years, when I look back on my time in UTSU, the first thing I will remember is the blue poster. I had to make so many of them and that blue... I still see it! I never want to see it again! So yes, probably the first thing I will associate with UTSU is the University of Tartu blue.
Anette-Mai: And Tõllakas! The whole Tõllakuur’s vibe. We have spent countless hours here.
All the stress and pressure of the past two years was worth it – it made me who I am today.
Looking back, what advice would you give yourself on your first day in office?
Anette-Mai: Whatever happens, happens. All the stress and pressure of the past two years was worth it, because it made me who I am now. I would also say – be strong and do not give up!
Renar: I agree – do not give up!
Teele: That is exactly what we promised each other two years ago during our first meeting – that we would not give up. I would also tell myself: remember, you were elected to be here – you are capable of doing this job!
And what advice would you give the next board?
Renar: Be brave enough to question things, ask again, be curious, ask Why? It might seem annoying, but it can help show that things can be done differently or more in line with student interests. Do not be afraid to make mistakes or ask for help when uncertain.
Anette-Mai: If you do your best, that is enough! Do not let anyone make you feel otherwise. Yes, you will not always be familiar with every topic or know everything, but students understand student life best. Trust your team, listen to your gut, and remember – you are on the board for a reason. And if the responsibility feels heavy at times, remind yourself that you are not carrying it alone.
The Trio’s New Paths
Renar Kihho, Anette-Mai Pirk-Birk and Teele Kanarbik started working on UTSU’s board on 1 July 2023. Renar was a fifth-year medical student during the first year of his term, Anette-Mai completed her bachelor’s in history, and Teele finished her bachelor’s in special education and speech therapy.
In autumn, Renar will resume his final year of medical studies after a break, and Teele will continue in the second year of her master’s in special education and speech therapy. Anette-Mai will begin a master’s in education at Stockholm University. Renar will continue representing students in the university senate, and Teele at the General Assembly of the Federation of Estonian Student Unions.
The story was published in the June 2025 issue of the journal Universitas Tartuensis.
