Activities

Sports

For Optiem members, sports are an important part of student life. Our members actively participate in weekly sports sessions and university sports competitions year after year, always striving to win and defend championship titles across a wide range of sports. With members from diverse athletic backgrounds, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Beer pong is one of the guild’s most popular social activities and has become a highlight of many events. In recent years, our enthusiasm has been reflected in the success of our first-year students in beer pong tournaments.

We also take pride in preserving traditional Finnish engineering student sports, particularly through a strong kyykkä culture. Our members regularly compete at the highest level, including the Kyykkä World Championships.

There is no shortage of activity in the guild room either. A pool table and darts provide opportunities for friendly competition between lectures.

If you have any questions related to sports, feel free to contact the Sports Coordinator at urheiluvastaava@optiem.fi.

Weekly Sports Sessions

The guild’s weekly sports session is held at Koskela School. We usually play various ball games, but the programme is flexible and other activities are always possible.

Guild Kyykkä Championship

The Guild Kyykkä Championship is held at the beginning of each year. The winning team earns the opportunity to represent the guild at the World Championship of Academic Kyykkä (WCOK).

Beachiem

Beachiem is the guild’s beach volleyball tournament, held during the summer break. Alumni are also warmly welcome to participate.

Sähliem

Sähliem is the guild’s annual floorball tournament, held each autumn.

Pooliem

Pooliem is the guild’s annual billiards tournament, organized in the guild room each spring.

Laniem

Laniem is a virtual gaming event held around the turn of the year, bringing guild members together for online gaming.

Akateemiset alkajaiset 

Our guild organizes the university’s first student party of the academic year together with the Ympäristörakentajakilta. Akateemiset alkajaiset is without a doubt one of the biggest student partys of the year, and because of its popularity, it is held at Ilona.

This party gives first-year students a taste of what student life is like at its very best. It’s the perfect introduction to the university party scene and definitely an event you don’t want to miss!

FanttiFest

FanttiFest (formerly known as ValeWappu) is a spring celebration organized together with the Ympäristörakentajakilta on the third Thursday of March. The event consists of both a daytime programme and an evening party and it is open to students from all fields of study.

The alcohol-free daytime event features gymball football, along with other fun, low-threshold sports activities and games, including bingo. The evening party takes place at Ilona.

The event is organized by the Events Manager in collaboration with the Host and Hostess of the Guild Ympäristörakentajakilta.

Sitz

Every year, Optiem organizes several sitz, both independently and together with other student guilds. The most important of these are the guild’s own Alumni sitz.

The Alumni Sitz

In October or November, our guild’s Events Coordinator demonstrates their organizational skills by hosting the Alumni sitz. The event brings together a diverse group of participants, including current students, alumni, department staff, and sponsors. The sitz are a traditional Finnish academic dinner party featuring food, drinks, singing, and speeches. They are among the guild’s most enjoyable events and uphold longstanding traditions and etiquette, such as formal toasts and ceremonial customs.The dress code is formal: a dark suit for men and festive attire for women (though not an evening gown). In years when no Annual Ball is organized, the Alumni sitz serves as its replacement. In some years, they also function as the Freshman sitz, introducing new students to the guild’s traditions.

Anniversary Ball

The Anniversary Ball is a prestigious academic gala held every five years, celebrating tradition and community. Alongside excellent food and drinks, guests enjoy Teekkari songs, speeches, and other time-honoured customs that are an integral part of the evening. Optiem ry will celebrate its 35th anniversary with an Anniversary Ball at the end of 2026.

Pre-Christmas Party

In November or December, the Events Coordinator organizes the guild’s Pre-Christmas Party (Pikkujoulut), a beloved Finnish pre-Christmas tradition. Guests can enjoy a festive Christmas dinner, followed by seasonal treats such as gingerbread cookies and hot mulled wine (glögi). Traditionally, the event is held at Teekkaritalo. One of the highlights of the evening is the Christmas play performed by the guild’s freshmen, which has provided many memorable and entertaining moments for the audience over the years. Naturally, the festivities also include a visit from Santa Claus! The dress code is typically slightly more formal than for an ordinary party, although it is not uncommon to see some attendees wearing their student overalls. All guild members and alumni are welcome to join the celebration and help bring the board’s working year to a festive close.