A Boost to Institutionalizing Service Learning in Higher Education

On 18 November, the headquarters of the ACUP hosted the conference entitled “Advancing the institutionalization of service-learning in universities,” an event organized with the active participation of IQS as a member of the ApSUCAT network. The conference became a key space for vice-rectors of various Catalan universities to analyse the current state of how service-learning is implemented and draw up strategies to strengthen it. The common objective is clear: to promote systemic change in universities by institutionalizing service-learning as an essential tool to achieve a well-rounded education.

Service-learning in higher education has undergone remarkable development over the last ten years, transitioning from initial concerns about how it would be implemented towards a more structured and institutionalized process. This progress has taken shape in three main areas: a diverse array of experiences in the faculties, designing strategic plans, and creating specific structures such as dedicated offices, along with integrating this methodology in the curricula through subjects, specific credits, Final Degree Projects, and Master Theses. In addition, the new Spanish Organic Law on the University System (LOSU) represents a historic opportunity to consolidate this methodology.

The event made it possible to evaluate the current state of service-learning in Catalan universities and explore new ways to institutionalize it. For this purpose, IQS has relied on the support of the international platform UNISERVITATE, which IQS recently joined as a member, strengthening its commitment to this methodology.

A poster exhibition was also held during the event where the participating universities presented notable service-learning experiences, underlining how progress is being made towards institutionalizing this methodology. The roundtable discussion with institutional representatives was also enriched by the participation of Nieves Tapia, a world leader in service-learning outreach and implementation. Her presentation offered inspiration both to those who are at the beginning of this journey and to those who are further along the route.

Events like these are essential to exchange lessons learned, consolidate partnerships, and strengthen collaboration networks between higher education institutions, thus promoting social responsibility in higher education.