SLK Guild
Founded in 1937, SLK Guild is the alumni association of Business College Helsinki and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. The association brings together former students and current professionals into a vibrant community.
SLK Guild was founded in 1937, when some former students of Suomen Liikemiesten Kauppaopisto, founded in 1898, saw the need for an alumni association. An attempt had first been made to establish an alumni association as early as 1909, but for some reason the association did not become established and soon ceased its activities. Choosing the association’s name proved difficult, but eventually the name SLK-Kilta ry was selected. SLK-Kilta is an abbreviation of Suomen Liikemiesten Kauppaopiston Kilta.
In the 1990s, Suomen Liikemiesten Kauppaopisto established Helia University of Business and Applied Sciences. The rules of SLK Guild were amended so that graduates of the university of applied sciences could also become members. In 2007, Helia University of Business and Applied Sciences merged with Haaga Institute Polytechnic, and Helia is now known as Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences.
Helia University of Business and Applied Sciences was not the first higher education institution established by Suomen Liikemiesten Kauppaopisto. In 1911, Suomen Liikemiesten Kauppaopisto established a higher education department, which was Finland’s first Finnish-language school of economics. In 1974, the School of Economics changed its name to the Helsinki School of Economics. Today, it is known as Aalto University School of Business.
Suomen Liikemiesten Kauppaopisto merged with Helsinki Business College in 2009. Helsinki Business College Ltd was established to maintain the merged institution, and the institution was named Suomen Liikemiesten Kauppaopisto. In 2018, the institution changed its name, and the original Suomen Liikemiesten Kauppaopisto is now known as Business College Helsinki.
Over the years, several institutions have merged into the current Business College Helsinki, including Suomen Liikemiesyhdistyksen Eiran kauppaoppilaitos, ATK-instituutti and Helsingin kauppaoppilaitos.
History of the association
Founding of SLK Guild
Some former students of the current Business College Helsinki met at an event and discussed matters related to the college. The discussion raised the question of why the college’s former students did not have an organization to maintain connections between them. The association was finally founded in the spring of 1937.
Anniversary year
On 24 September, the 40th anniversary of the Suomen Liikemiesten Kauppaopisto was celebrated with a reunion dinner in the banquet hall of Hotel Grand.
Fateful years
Due to the Winter War, the association’s activities were very limited. The first chairperson, commercial counsellor S. Pajarinen, also stepped down from the role because of other duties.
First study trip abroad and success of course activities
The Guild organized courses in foreign trade and, in connection with them, a study trip to the Utrecht Fair in the Netherlands. The Finnish Foundation for Business Education awarded the association a grant of 50,000 marks in recognition of the success of the courses.
Hiring an executive director
Mailing circulars and collecting membership fees had proved too demanding for volunteers, so the association hired its first executive director, retired Major J. Mustonen.
Activities gained new momentum
Under the leadership of chairperson Aatos Kuokkanen, who began his three-year term in 1955, the association flourished. In 1957, the association was able to award two grants of 50,000 marks to business graduates of the college.
Course activities again recognized for their success
The association continued to receive recognition from the Finnish Foundation for Business Education, which awarded it a grant of 100,000 marks.
The association’s 80th anniversary celebrations
During the anniversary year, members visited places including the National Museum, and the spring meeting was held in the former college building at Fabianinkatu 26. The 80th anniversary celebration took place at the Helsinki Finnish Club on 11 November.
Coronavirus pandemic
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, SLK Guild held its autumn and spring meetings later than usual and as hybrid meetings in the Guild’s office premises. Participants entered the meeting room via a handwashing station, and seating at the tables was arranged with one and a half metres between participants. In 2020, scholarships were awarded to four graduates.
Organization
Kirsti Barannik
Chairperson
Tuija Mäki
Vice Chairperson
Erkki Kallio
Treasurer
Anu Kekki
Online Communications
Lasse Suonpää
Executive Director