Where do we study?

Aalto University, aalto.fi/en

• School of Arts, Design and Architecture
• School of Engineering
• School of Chemical Engineering
• School of Science
• School of Electrical Engineering

How to contact us?

Aalto University Student Union (AYY)

Teekkari Section (TJ)

Other associations

What are our Guilds?

Check a list of all associations here.

• AK – Guild of Architecture – Painter’s white overalls. Landscape Architecture students have a self-made tree on their leg
• AS – Guild of Automation and Systems Engineering – Violet overalls with a black sleeve
• Athene – Guild of Information Networks – Forest green overalls with a black sleeve
• DG – Data Guild – Silver overalls with a shiny black sleeve. Studies performed in English.
• FK – Guild of Physics – Off-white overalls
• IK – Guild of Civil Engineers – Navy blue overalls
• Inkubio – Guild of Bioinformation Technology – Brown overalls with white spots
• KIK – Guild of Mechanical Engineers – Pink overalls
• KK – Chemistry Guild – Red overalls or red sleeves
• MK – Guild of Surveying Engineers – Matt black overalls, with a burgundy sleeve for property management students, a green sleeve for geomatics students and a fuchsia sleeve for built environment students
• NuDe – Nuoret Designerit – "Vallila coat"
• PJK – Forest Products Guild – Yellow overalls or yellow sleeves
• Prodeko – Guild of Industrial Engineering and Management – White overalls with a rainbow
• PT – Association of Process Engineering Students – Blue overalls with yellow, red or blue striped legs and sleeves
• SIK – Guild of Electrical Engineering – Pure white overalls
• TF – Teknologföreningen – "Technical red" overalls
• TiK – Computer Science Guild – Shiny black overalls
• VK – Guild of Material and Metallurgy Students – Blue overalls or blue sleeves

What are some of our main events?

1. Teekkariperinneviikko (Teekkari Tradition Week)
   • When? The first full week of November
   • Who for? All Teekkaris and Teekkari minded people
   • What happens? Falling in the annual ball week of TKY (former student union of the Helsinki University of Technology), the events of the week culminate in the Teekkari Tradition Party (TPJ), and Teekkari Sillis. The winner of the annual Teekkari Singing Competition is also announced at the Teekkari Tradition Party, as well as other awards and honours.
     The program of the week varies, but includes events from various areas of Teekkari culture: such as Sitsit parties, bar crawls and student club events. Since around 2017, the week has included an event held by the International Committee (KvTMK) in English.
   • Who organises? Teekkari Section (Teekkarijaosto)
   • What is best about it? Ending it with the Sillis!
   • www.ayy.fi/en/teekkari-tradition-party
2. Otatarhan ajot and Lakinlaskijaiset (Otatarha Grand Prix and ”Cap Lowering”)
   • When? 30.9.
   • Who for? All students, to either take part or watch the spectacle
   • What happens? During the day, at the Otatarha Grand Prix student teams compete in their self-built, human-powered vehicles, while spectators cheer on their favourites and enjoy various side activities. In the evening, in Dipoli is celebrated the Lakinlaskijaiset party, when Teekkari caps are lowered at midnight for their winter rest. The party features headline artists, while karaoke and various DJs also help maintain the party vibe.
   • Who organises? Teekkari Section (Teekkarijaosto)
   • What is best about it? A full day of events in the cold of the Autumn season
   • www.ayy.fi/en/events
3. Laskiaisrieha and Gravitaatio (“Shrove Tuesday Sledding” and “Gravitation”)
   • When? Shrove Tuesday
   • Who for? All students
   • What happens? Laskiaisrieha is a downhill sledding race. Gathering thousands of students from across the capital area, competitors compete to ride their self-built sleds down the hill of Ullanlinnanmäki (Ullis) in Helsinki in front of a cheering crowd. Free sledding before and after the competition can also be performed, and various student associations and companies host checkpoints to keep enjoyment, and warmth levels, high throughout. In the evening, Gravitaatio is a high energy party that exists to burn off the residual cold from the sledding, with the party usually featuring a well-known band or singer as a headliner.
   • Who organises? Vapaateekkarit, Aalto University Student Union and the Teekkari Section
   • What is best about it? The chance to sled with friends, and still be warm the next day!
   • www.laskiaisrieha.fi 
   • www.gravitaatio.fi

Teekkari Culture in Otaniemi

Even though Aalto University is still young, Teekkari culture is old and strong in Otaniemi. Aalto University began its operations on 1.1.2010, uniting the University of Technology, the Helsinki School of Economics and the School of Arts and Design together. Students of all these fields now coexist in Otaniemi, and as such the student culture is a mix of these.

In 2023, the 150th Teekkari Tradition Party was held in Jäähalli in Helsinki, and the Museum of Student Life (formally Teekkari Museum) catalogues the rich and varied history of those who call Otaniemi home.

Wappu Traditions

Teekkari Wappu in Otaniemi will only arrive if so decreed by the Fuksi Major. Otaniemi’s (possible) Wappu begins in earnest after the Jäynä Final, and the publication of the year’s Wappu magazine around two weeks before Wappu, although some guild events generally take place already before then. The published Wappu magazine alternates each year, with Äpy published in odd years, and Julkku published in even ones. Guilds and other associations organise a huge number of events across the Wappu time, and the student run Wappu radio Radiodiodi keeps the spirit going and the good vibes flowing throughout.

Fuksi have their own Wappu program, being able to take part in the Fuksi Tournament (Fuksipeijaiset) in order to determine the order with which Teekkari caps are handed out. Caps are distributed to those who have earned them on the morning of the 30.4., generally at Amfi (the amphitheatre that forms an outside part of the Undergraduate Centre). Following this, the Declaration of Wappu Rowdiness takes place, echoing from the rooftop of Servin Mökki to be heard by thousands of current and former students. While high school graduation caps can be used from the capping of the Manta statue in Helsinki at 6pm, it is at midnight when the month changes to May that Fuksi can put on their Teekkari caps for the first time. A brunch is then enjoyed at Ullanlinnanmäki (usually called Ullis) in Helsinki on Wappu Day, with guilds and associations having their tents assembled and active.

In Otaniemi, international students can enjoy Wappu in much the same as Finnish students, with their own possibility to earn their Teekkari cap, and in recent years even their own Fuksi Tournament. Other events, such as International Wappu Sitsit, have also begun to be traditional, and overall Wappu is considered a time for all students, regardless of background.

Teekkari Cap and Official Symbols

Otaniemi’s Teekkari cap is hexagonal, with a "technical red" (tekniikanpunainen) lining and a cockade of the 19th century symbol of the predecessor of the Student Union of Helsinki University of Technology’s (TKY). The lining colours of the cap of Otaniemi’s Swedish-speaking association TF are red and yellow, with a different cockade based on the emblem of TF. Caps can be earned via the accumulation of Fuksi points, or if acquired after the first Wappu, via a visit to the Museum of Student Life to earn the required understanding of the cap’s meaning.

The colours of Aalto University Student Union AYY’s ribbon (kuntanauha) are purple and silver, with the ribbon able to be used by current and former members of AYY, as well as employees. The "technical red" ribbon, with two white stripes, represents TKY, but is still in use to represent being a Teekkari, worn underneath the ribbon of AYY. TF has its own ribbon, the colours of which are red-yellow-red, and other guilds and clubs may also have their own, which is then worn below the others.

In Otaniemi, there are a variety of pins, necklaces, and other decorations that represent being a member of different guilds, clubs, and committees. The rules of the use of these vary greatly, but in most cases they are generally only worn with smart clothing, with current and former members being able to continue to use them. There are also a range of braids awarded for achievements, to be worn with overalls.