Service-learning

SPIRITUALITY & RESEARCH TEAM

Service-learning (SL) can make a specific pedagogical contribution to Catholic Higher Education Institutions (CHEIs), helping them to articulate their social outreach and spiritual identity with academic activities, offering innovative ways to achieve a “hands, head and heart” education, as demonstrated by research and experiences developed by CHEIs.The general research and reflection objective of the UNISERVITATE Programme is to understand the contributions of the spiritual dimension of SL to the identity and mission of the CHEIs, considering diverse multicultural contexts. Under this statement it is hoped to contribute to the building of strong links between spiritual reflection, pastoral activities, learning, teaching and research.

The question of reflection and research that UNISERVITATE seeks to answer can be summarized as follows: What is the contribution of the spiritual dimension of SL to the mission and identity of CHEIs at the global level, in diverse multicultural contexts? This virtual space is a place to exchange news, materials and documents, as well as academic articles and other valuable research resources. The aim is to form a community that builds and exchanges knowledge, reflecting on and researching the spiritual dimension of SL at CHEIs.

First call for Small Grants for Research Projects on Service-Learning (SL) in Catholic Higher Education.

For the first time, Uniservitate opens the first call for Small Grants for Research Projects requests for implementation during 2023-2024, related to the objectives set by the Program. 

With a 70,000 euros budget, globally distributed, each one of the regional hubs will manage these resources according to the requests received and evaluated by a scientific committee, in order to support research about service-learning in Catholic Higher Education.

The call is open for all the researchers that meet the requirements and for those who present projects alined with these objectives. Regional hubs will set deadlines according to the university schedule. 

Research proposals should focus in some of the following topics:

  1. The spiritual dimension of SL
  2. SL contribution to CHEIs mission and identity
  3. SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
  4. Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.

 

Winners of the First Call for Small Research Grants on Service-Learning

The hubs that constitute the Uniservitate programme for service-learning in catholic higher education institutions participated in the call for small research grants to be implemented during 2023-2024. In this first edition, we had a budget of 70,000 euros distributed globally, with each of the 7 Uniservitate regional hubs managing funds according to the requests received and evaluated by a scientific committee to support research on service-learning. 33 small research grants were delivered to projects from 28 universities in 18 countries on five continents

The proposed research areas were: 1) The spiritual dimension of SL; 2) the contribution of service-learning to the mission and identity of Catholic Higher Education Institutions; 3) SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of Catholic Higher Education Institutions;4) Evidence of SL impact towards a holistic education.

We congratulate those selected by the jury appointed for each hub and encourage them to continue working on expanding resources to research on service-learning.

Below, we are sharing the details of the winners from each hub:

AFRICA

Jury: Beatrix Bouwman – Mary Cecilia Draru – Ellainne Etobe – Alice Kaudia
Coordinator: Denis Etriga Munguci

Institution: Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC), Cameroon

Application title: “Linking Service Learning to the Christian Ethic of Service.”
Topic: The spiritual dimension of SL.
Project Leader: Simon Itabari Mwenda

Application title: “Fostering ethical leadership through service learning a case of Tangaza University College.”
Topic SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Nazarene Kabuya

Application title: “Institutionalization Processes of Service-Learning in Catholic University of Central Africa.”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Dr Epiphane Kinhoun

Institution: Mwenge Catholic University, Tanzania

Application title: “Towards Sustained Service-Learning Institutionalization: Understanding Advances, Opportunities and Challenges at Mwenge Catholic University, Tanzania”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Gilleard Minja

Institution: University of Kisubi, Uganda

Application title:  “Benchmarking the Institutionalization of service learning in selected Catholic Higher Education”
Topic:  SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Angella Beatrice Nalwanga

Asia & Oceania

Jury: Sterling Miranda Plata. Ma. Lourdes Melegrito. Froilan Alipao. Marietta Guanzon. Carol Ma Hok Ka. Mercy Pushpalatha. Victoria Tibon.  Maher Spurgeon
Coordinators: Jimi Caldea & Romina Eloisa Abuan

Institution: Assam Don Bosco University, India

Application title: “A study on stakeholders attitude towards institualization of service learning: perceived threats and opportunities across Christian Higher Education Institutions of India.”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Bonnie Amonge Crerar

Institution: University of St. La Salle, Philippines

Application title: “The Contribution of the Christian Service Learning Program (CSLP) Towards Spiritual, Social, and Professional Growths as Perceived by the USLS Political Science Graduate”
Topic: SL contribution to CHEIs mission and identity.
Project Leader: Elias P. Patriarca, Jr.

CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE & MIDDLE EAST

Jury: Bojana Culum Ilic – Alina Simona Rusu – Edina Malkic – Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová
Coordinator: Christiane Hoth de Olano

Institution: John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland

 Application title: “The impact of service-learning methodology on applied linguistics students success outcomes”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Viktoriia Durkalevych

Institution: Bethlehem University, Palestine

Application title: “Learning by doing at Bethlehem University; The SPEL Model”]Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Bilal Salameh

Institution: Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany

Application title: “Service Learning for Campus: Opportunities and Challenges in Relation to the Sustainable Transformation at Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Ann-Kathrin Bremer

LAC

Jury:  Alexis Rodríguez – Chantal Jouannet – Daniel García – Daniela Gargantini -Gladys Jimenez -Gretel Hernández -Isabel Tresca -Leticia López -Mercedes Morales -Nicolas Dorronsoro -Rodolfo Gallo -Rodrigo de Andrade
Coordinator:  Manuel Caire Espinoza

Institution: Catholic University of Pernambuco, Brazil

Application title:“Service-learning as a possibility of Comprehensive Education and transformation in the way of being of higher education students”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: João Elton de Jesus

Institution: Catholic University of La Plata, Argentine

 Application title: “From extension as a transfer service to dialogue of knowledge” Case study: Creation and implementation of the Center for Learning and Solidarity Service “Santa Clara de Asís”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader:Rita Marcela Gajate

Institution: Pontifical Catholic University of Chile

Application title: “Notions and practices of Christian spirituality in S+L UC: Reality and Challenges.”
Application area: The spiritual dimension of SL
Project Leader: Cristián Felipe Núñez Durán

Institución: Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador

 Application title:“Family and community strategies to combat Childhood Malnutrition as comprehensive learning tools for Nutrition and Dietetics students.”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Edgar Wilson Rojas González

Institution: Catholic University of Córdoba

Application title: “Service-learning as a predictor of academic-social commitment of Bachelor of Nutrition students at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Catholic University of Córdoba”
Topic:  SL contribution to CHEIs mission and identity.
Project Leader: Constanza Rodríguez Junyen

USA & CANADA

Jury: Barbara McCrabb – Andy Furco – Rebecca Sawyer – Patrick Green – Jennifer Pfigza
Coordinator: Nadine Jalandoni

Institution: University of St. Thomas -Center for the Common Good, USA

 Application title: “Exploring the impact of a community-engagement project on students’ perceptions of housing justice and housing insecurity and their intention for continued engagement”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Jessica Hodge

Institution: Loras College, USA

Application title: “Cultural Snapshots: Institutionalizing Catholic Social Teaching and Asset Based Community Development through Community Engagement”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs.
Project Leader: Jake Kurczek

Institution: University of Notre Dame -Center for Social Concerns, USA

Application title: “Lives in the Balance: College Engagement and the Development of Moral Solidarity”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Jay W. Brandenberger

Institution: Saint Mary’s College of California, USA 

Application title: “From mission to practice: Instructor perspectives on creating engaged learning experiences that foster the spiritual development of Lasallian university students”
Topic: SL contribution to CHEIs mission and identity.
Project Leader: Sarah Beth Dempsey

WEN

Jury:  Marian Aláez –  Míquel Martínez – Arantzazu Martínez – María Cinque  – Luísa Mota
Coordinator:  Marian Aláez

Institution: Université de Namur, Belgium

Application title: “Anthropologie et Service Learning en contexte associatif: enjeux moraux, politiques et épistémologiques”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Rigaux Natalie

Institution: Université Catholique de Lille, France

Application title: “Reading students Service-learning journals from the perspective of a Christian anthropology”
Topic:  The spiritual dimension of SL.
Project Leader: Thierry Magnin

Institution: KU Leuven, Faculty of Architecture, Belgium

Application title: “Levers as a pre-condition for integral education: an exploration of principles and transformative mechanisms of service-learning”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: De Smet Aurelie

WES

Jury:  Marian Aláez –  Míquel Martínez – Arantzazu Martínez – María Cinque  – Luísa Mota
Coordinator: Marian Aláez

Institution: Pontifical University Comillas, Spain

Application title: “The social profitability of community educational methodologies: Case study. “University service-learning in the field of ADE studies”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Carlos Ballesteros Garcia

Institution: Catholic University of Ávila, Spain

Application title:  “Education in values ​​and development of skills through service-learning: impact on students at the Universidad Católica De Ávila 2015-2023”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Ana Isabel Muñoz Alcón

Institution: University of Deusto, Spain

Application title: “Working on language didactics with the service-learning methodology”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Ariane Díaz Iso

Application title: “La empatía y autocompasión en el alumnado de CAFyD tras una experiencia de ApS”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Yolanda Lázaro Fernández

Institution: IQS Universitat Ramon Llull, Spain

Application title: “Analysis of published service-learning experiences in chemistry and chemical engineering programs”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Núria Agulló Chaler

Institution:  San Jorge University, Spain

Application title: “Impact of the service-learning programme on the perception of learning humanized care in students and usefulness in the community”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Raquel Lafuente-Ureta

Application title: “The reflective processes in SL projects in the CHEIs. “His contribution to the development of the spiritual dimension of students and educators”
Topic: The spiritual dimension of SL.
Project Leader: Arantzazu Martínez Odría

Institution: Loyola University, Andalucía, Spain

Application title: “Impact evaluation indicators in Service-Learning from the experience of the Social Sector of the Society of Jesus”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Ignacio Sepúlveda del Río

Institution: Portuguese Catholic University, Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Portugal

Application title: “Interdisciplinary Service-Learning: An (im)possible agenda?”
Topic: SL institutionalization processes in the specific contexts of CHEIs
Project Leader:  Paulo C. Dias

Institution: Portuguese Catholic University, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Portugal

Application title: “Examining University Students’ and Final Beneficiaries’ Perceptions of SL and their Community: A pre- and post-Service-Learning Analysis”
Topic:  Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Luísa Mota Ribeiro

Institution: St Mary’s University, United Kingdom

Application title:  “Examining the medium-term impact of a service learning project using a value creation framework”
Topic: Evidence of SL impact towards an integral education.
Project Leader: Abbe Brady