"Having a student perspective changes the conversation" – Interview with Presidential Board member Ira Helten

Ira, you have been at the Viadrina since 2019. How did your involvement in student initiatives begin?

Ira Helten: When I first came to Frankfurt (Oder) for my Bachelor’s in Social and Cultural Studies, I did not know anyone. So I just started going to every student initiative meeting I could find in the first few weeks. Some I stayed with, like the Student council FSR Kuwi and Stuck e.V., and in 2020 I helped organise the theatre festival Unithea during Covid. Over time, I got more involved, especially in student representation and joined the General Student Committee (AStA) for two years.

What were your main areas of involvement in the AStA?

One was definitely the AStA Sommerfest. We organised it at Brunnenplatz with multiple bands and up to 4,000 visitors. Another was bringing free period products to campus, which are still available today. And the third was the Semester Ticket negotiations with the Verkehrsbetriebe Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB) in 2021. That was my first experience dealing with such a big issue alongside transport companies, other universities, and the press. It has taught me a lot about negotiations, communication, and strategic thinking.

You are the first student to sit on the Presidential Board. What is special about this position?

In most meetings, the Board talks about students but until April 2025, there has not been a student voice at the table. Having that perspective changes the conversation. I think this position should be introduced at more universities, especially where student representation is weak. It is not a trend; it is a way to make universities fit for the future.

What topics are particularly important to you in this role?

Right now, I am very focused on how universities can respond to new challenges, for example, artificial intelligence. We need to ask: how do we adapt teaching, create an adequate environment, and provide the right technology? Students should be part of those discussions from the start.

You have been active in many student initiatives for six years now. What keeps you motivated?

Community. I love building networks, supporting projects, and then handing them over to new students so they can grow over generations. That is the most beautiful part for me, seeing something you worked on continue and develop.

Why did you decide to stay at the Viadrina even during Covid?

I value the strong sense of community here. It is something we can build on to improve learning, teaching, and opportunities for students. I have loved studying here both in my Bachelor’s and now in my Master’s and I am excited to see how we can shape the future together.

What is your message regarding the role of students in universities?

Students are not just the future, they are part of the present. If universities want to stay relevant and resilient in a fast-changing world, they must include student voices at every level. This is not about tokenism; it is about real influence and shared responsibility. Only together can we build a university that truly belongs to all of us.