The University of Deusto and the Portuguese Catholic University, together in a joint work initiative in the Western European South Hub
The Uniservitate team from the University of Deusto (Bilbao) offered two high-impact workshops to professors from the Portuguese Catholic University (Universidade Católica Portuguesa – UCP) to enhance service-learning practices.
As part of the guidance provided by the universities within the Southern European Hub, the Spanish team collaborated with their Portuguese counterparts to design these training sessions. In two-hour sessions workshops, they introduced participants to the design and implementation of service-learning experiences in universities, emphasizing not only the value of reflection in the learning process but also ways to encourage it.
“Experience is not always the best teacher – careful! Encouraging reflection is essential,” was a key message during the workshop. Additionally, an unexpected exercise on Artificial Intelligence and the holistic educational pathway involving the head, heart and hands was included. It was emphasized that AI draws from what the collective intelligence provides, that is, from life experiences. That is the reason why interpreting and valuing experiences are crucial for meaningful discussions.
Organized by Almudena Eizaguirre, María García-Feijoo, Ariane Díaz-Iso and Marta Roldan from the University of Deusto, the workshops took place on 1st and 2nd February at the UCP’s campuses Porto and Lisbon. Professors with varying levels of knowledge and experience in service-learning enthusiastically participated in the proposed activities.
