The University's first subject dedicated entirely to service-learning and social engagement

Some of the students taking part in the service-learning subject.
Some of the students taking part in the service-learning subject.
News | Academic | Solidarity
(19/12/2023)
The University of Barcelona has a long history of service-learning, an educational methodology that combines academic training with community service. Currently, more than thirty UB degree courses already offer the opportunity to carry out service-learning activities as part of different subjects or as part of the bachelor’s degree final project.
Some of the students taking part in the service-learning subject.
Some of the students taking part in the service-learning subject.
News | Academic | Solidarity
19/12/2023
The University of Barcelona has a long history of service-learning, an educational methodology that combines academic training with community service. Currently, more than thirty UB degree courses already offer the opportunity to carry out service-learning activities as part of different subjects or as part of the bachelor’s degree final project.

The UB is now the first Catalan university with a subject dedicated entirely to service-learning, which was launched this term and involves 23 students from eleven different degree courses who receive theoretical training on topics such as the University's civic commitment, and then develop a service-learning project together with several social organizations. 

Specifically, students from Fine Arts, Nursing, Social Work, Pharmacy, Food Science and Technology, Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Sociology and Environmental Sciences take part in the service-learning course. The classes are followed in a hybrid format (face-to-face and online) and the students attend sessions with the different social entities in which they participate. They will do their internships in some of the associations that work on the problems of pollution and sustainability of the beach of the three chimneys in Sant Adrià del Besòs: Airenet, Sant Joan Baptista Neighbourhood Association, La Marea Verde, Plataforma 3 Xemeneies and Instituto Manuel Vázquez Montalbán. 

"The focus of the subject is on cross-sectional skills; students from different degree courses form interdisciplinary groups to respond to a social need", says Anna Escofet, lecturer at the Faculty of Education and director of the UB Chair in Service Learning. This new subject will enable students to develop skills such as ethical commitment, teamwork and creative and entrepreneurial skills, among others. At the same time, students will acquire knowledge such as the ability to apply different perspectives in the analysis of problems or different aspects of community development.

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