LAB students warn teacher cuts could leave them without classes

Students at LAB University of Applied Sciences fear proposed staff cuts will reduce teaching and delay graduations, Yle reported. Several dozen students from LAB and LUT University gathered for a protest at LAB’s Mukkula campus in Lahti.

LAB has said its change negotiations could lead to 70 job losses, including as many as 30 among teaching staff. The institutions, which are part of the same group, are seeking a combined €10.5 million in savings.

Design student Kiia Laiho said there were already very few teaching staff in her field. “If any more of them leave, we won’t have any teaching left,” she said.

Student organiser Liom Karvinen said in-person teaching for new students had declined year by year. Fourth-year visual communication design student Rasmus Hangasmaa said previous cuts had already increased class sizes, making it harder for teachers to support everyone.

Students fear that larger groups and staff shortages could delay their studies. Hangasmaa said starting his thesis had already been delayed by strikes in the autumn, and he was concerned that fewer teachers would make thesis supervision more difficult. Laiho also warned that delayed seminars or staff shortages could postpone graduation.

LUT University’s negotiations could lead to up to 90 job losses. They concern shared higher education services, university management and faculty staff, but not employees in research and teaching roles.

The students urged the institutions’ leaders not to cut teaching and to listen to students.