IUPAK stands for “Intresseföreningen UPpsala Akademiska Kemister” (the association Uppsala Academic Chemists) and we are the so called “section organization” for the chemistry bachelor and master programmes at Uppsala University. Being a section organization means that we are appointed by the science and technology student union (UTN) to work in the interest of the students that we represent. In essence, this means that we try to keep ourselves updated on the quality of the education and what we students think of the courses and the programmes in general. If there is anything we feel should be changed, or at least noted, we make sure that the issue reaches the university, the student union, or both. The other thing we do as an organization is to organize events outside of or connected to the studies.
The board!
We asked the board to introduce themselves and their IUPAK positions!
First, here is the board in its entirety
And then follows the individual presentations:
Your name and which year are you attending?
My name is Max Ohrzén and I’m in my second year on the Bachelor program in chemistry.
What are you doing in you IUPAK position?
I am the chairman, which means that I’m the top dog! I distribute the work among the board members and make sure that everything gets done. I’m also the face of the organisation and represent us against the student union, the university, etc. Then, I am also conducting all the meetings.
What’s the best thing about your position?
Good question! It’s not really any of the specific tasks that you have. Instead, the result of the work is the best, i.e., that many people want to be members and participate in our events, because that kind of shows that you are doing something that positively affects people.
Your name and which year are you attending?
Sofia Werner, 1st year Bachelor
What are you doing in you IUPAK position?
As vice chairman you act on behalf of the chairman when they don’t have the possibility to partake in a meeting or an event. The vice chairman also has the main educational responsibility, which means that you are responsible for the study monitoring of the NVK-section. This responsibility includes arranging our beloved chemistry lunches, being the head of our study committee Karavanen, and act as the contact between the people studying chemistry and those employed at the university.
What’s the best thing about your position?
The best thing about my position is that you get to work with a little bit of everything within the board and get to know many different students and professors at the university. The position as vice chairman is very free; you get to plan and organize your own projects and shape your own work which I like very much. Additionally, study monitoring is very fun according to me, and that is what made me want to apply for the position.
Your name and which year are you attending?
Ada Holmquist, second year of the Bachelor program.
What are you doing in you IUPAK position?
As treasurer of IUPAK you have the responsibility for the economy of the organization. You make sure that all the invoices are paid and that all transactions are registered. You also have the responsibility to order the party lab coats.
What’s the best thing about your position?
I like numbers and when things are organized, so maintaining the bookkeeping in a neat way is nice. Then I also liked how happy all new students were when they got their party lab coats.
Your name and which year are you attending?
My name is Johanna Hassius Salerius and I’m a first year chemist
What are you doing in you IUPAK position?
My role in the board is Förste kamelskötare which in chemistry means that I try to organize activities and party’s for the lovely chemists and all the other science students to attend.
What’s the best thing about your position?
The best thing about this role, besides taking care of the camels, is to give people the wild party’s they deserve!
Your name and which year are you attending?
Helena Samuelsson, 1st year bachelor
What are you doing in you IUPAK position?
I am the secretary of the organization, which means that I take notes of the talk during meetings.
What’s the best thing about your position?
The best thing about the position is that I get to be on the board and get insight in what’s happening without having to take that much responsibility myself.
My name’s Erik Bergström, I’m attending my 1st year. My post as member of the board means very little in itself, my only intrinsic duty is to participate in board meetings and offer my opinion, however the board may delegate some simpler tasks to me as well. The best thing about my position is undoubtably that I can participate in the decision making process of the board without taking on a lot of responsibilities. You will have some things to do for IUPAK, but not very much.
My name is Amanda Rehn and I am I first year student. My post is “ledamot” (member of the board) and I got it 2022. The best thing about my position is that I get to be on the board and that I gets to be a part of IUPAK.