Cortex
Välkomna till Karolinska Institutet och Medicinska föreningen! Nedan finner du historia, traditioner och fullständig guide för att överleva din tid på Medicinska föreningen.
Introduction of MF
Medicinska Föreningen (MF) was founded by the students of Karolinska Institutet (KI) in 1877, making us the oldest student association in Stockholm. MF works daily to make sure that your education at KI is being kept at the highest possible quality and that we represent the students in several decision-making bodies within KI. We are also a place for two other important aspects of student life: Social activities and student support. As a member of MF, you can turn to us with questions about your study situation, student life or problems with your education. This is taken care of by the many representatives and associations within the union.
Karolinska Institutet has two campuses – one in Solna and one in Flemingsberg. Regardless of whether you study at Solna or Flemingsberg campus, you are welcome to Medicinska Föreningen’s union house in Solna or our premises in Flemingberg. Most of MF’s activities are arranged in Solna since this is where we have our student union house “Kårhuset”. This is also where we host all our balls, parties and popular Friday Pubs. We as a student union host many of these events that are aimed at bringing good networking and fun to your life here at KI.
Getting involved in the student union is the best way to meet new friends and make sure that your time at KI isn’t only about studying! Whatever you like, there is something for you here, and if we don’t have it – contact us and we’ll help you start it up!
In short, the purpose of Medicinska Föreningen (MF) is to unite the students of Karolinska Institutet (KI), to promote the studies of medical sciences, to look after the members’ common interests and to generate and maintain good friendships among the members. As a student union, MF is responsible for monitoring and participating in the development of the education and study environment at KI. Together we make our time at KI one of the most life-defining periods of our lives. Welcome to KI and welcome to Medicinska Föreningen (MF), your student house.
It took a long time before the medical students in Stockholm had their association, but when the Karolinska Institute (KI) received a complete medical education in the 1870s, the Association of Medicinska föreningen (The medical association) was founded on April 21, 1877, at Hotel Fenix and had 83 members at its inception.
The original 83 members grew to around 5,000 members by the end of the 1990s when KI took more and more educational programs under its wing, and some of these became part of MF (Medicinska Föreningen). In 1998, the Health College in Stockholm merged with the Karolinska Institute, which then acquired several healthcare programs. In 2001, the Health Sciences Association, a student union comprising these healthcare programs, merged with MF, thereby increasing MF’s membership to around 7,000 and nearly 20 educational programs. In 2010, the Physiotherapy Student Union in Stockholm joined MF, making MF the student union for KI’s physiotherapy students.
An important function of MF from the beginning was to foster greater cohesion among students, particularly among those from different years and programs. Balls and parties have always been organized, and of course, educational matters have played a central role in the association. Theatrical performances and music have also long held a significant place within the association.
A question that has persisted over time is that of premises. In the early years, the association changed locations frequently, but in 1913, it moved permanently to Norr Mälarstrand 12 and remained there until 1954. At that point, MF moved with the Karolinska Institute to its new campus in the Norrbacka area and began renting its student union building from the Royal Board of Buildings. In 1983, students were replaced by books as the Institute’s library had outgrown its space, and our beloved auditorium and dining hall were taken over by eager readers. In return, the association was promised the opportunity to purchase the remaining part of the student union building and, with the help of donations and its funds, build an auditorium connected to it. In May 1985, a new wing of the student union building was ready for inauguration. The remaining part of the old student union building and the new extension has been owned and managed since then by the Medical Association’s Student Union Building Foundation, which rents out the entire building to the association.
MF structure
We understand that the MF structure can be hard to understand in the beginning. Here is our attempt to describe it. If you have any more questions, please contact [email protected] and we will try to clear anything up.
