The Institute of Service-Learning-USFQ (IAS-USFQ) is dedicated to researching the impact of the Service-Learning (S-L) methodology in various educational contexts, from higher education to the school level. Our mission includes promoting S-L in Ecuador and seeks to form international partnerships with organizations that implement this methodology.
Since 2011, USFQ has successfully implemented the S-L methodology, which has over 60 years of global experience, achieving highly beneficial results for all involved. As a pioneering institution in Ecuador in the institutionalization of this methodology, we have verified its positive impact on students, teachers, and collaborating organizations.
We recognize great potential for conducting research in this field, both nationally and internationally. Our goals include disseminating this methodology in higher education institutions and schools for both foreign students and USFQ students, who can benefit from these experiences.
Higher education institutions have a responsibility to society to educate citizens who contribute to a country's social development. The creation of IAS-USFQ strengthens this role in our society. According to the 2030 Agenda, students should have opportunities to solve problems during their academic life to propose initiatives and solutions that facilitate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. According to UNESCO (2021), the S-L methodology has the potential to collaboratively solve community problems and foster leadership skills, communication, and others (Díaz, Ramia, Garlock, 2017).
Impact of the Service-Learning (S-L) methodology on all those involved in both higher education and at the school level in Ecuador, in global S-L programs, and other contexts where it is applied.
The mission of the Institute of Service-Learning-USFQ (IAS-USFQ) is to research and disseminate the Service-Learning (S-L) methodology and to create international S-L experiences for educational institutions in Ecuador.
The vision of IAS-USFQ is to be a research and dissemination center of the S-L methodology with national and international recognition.
Publications
- Dow, G., Díaz, K. (2022). "Service-Learning as a Catalyst for Global Learning and Civic Engagement: A Collaborative Pedagogical Experiment." In Johnston, D., López, I., The Wiley Handbook of Collaborative Online Learning and Global Engagement. Wiley.
- Ramia, N., Díaz, K. (2019). "Service-Learning as a methodology to promote equity and inclusion: Best practice experience in Ecuador." In Hoffman, J., Blessinger P., Makhaya, M., Strategies for fostering inclusive classrooms in higher education: International perspectives on equity and inclusion. Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Diaz, K., Ramia, N., Bramwell, D., Costales, F. (2019). "Civic attitudes and skills development through service-learning in Ecuador." Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 23, 3, 124-144.
- Diaz, K., Ramia, N., Garlock, L. (2017). "Impact of mandatory service-learning course on civic attitudes and skills: Case study in Ecuador." International Journal of Educational Excellence, 3, 1, 14-38.
- Cherniak, W., et al. (2017). "Visiting trainees in global settings: Host and partner perspectives on desirable competencies." Annals of Global Health, 83, 2, 359-368.
Workshops
- Custom and Open Workshops on Service-Learning
News
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In November 2023, we had our first Global Service-Learning training with the collaboration of Richard Kiely from Cornell University's Einhorn Center and GAIAS Europe. More details about this event can be found here.
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We currently have about 10 Service-Learning projects with Academic Colleges: CADE, COCISOH, COSIBA, COCSA, POLI, and JUR.
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In 2023, we had several international visits, including two from Cornell and our partners from the Einhorn Center and students from Denison University for various S-L implementation projects:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7041110507214262272. -
We formed the Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning (REApS) and had the First REApS Meeting at USFQ. More information about the event can be found at these links
ttps://www.flickr.com/photos/usfq1/sets/72177720308829220/
https://www.facebook.com/USFQEcuador/posts/pfbid0HoY3iKL5zvGHYGfUwX37AVrhpZXTbRefpxCPMPXQNiVSNqzZzeJdmT8vRGit4WXml - We have initiated a new self-taught S-L BADGE, open each semester. For more information, contact SHIFT Academy at shift@usfq.edu.ec.
Research projects
- Service-learning impact on community partners, students, and faculty at an Ecuadorean University (IN PROGRESS)
- How do Chilean and Ecuadorian university students reflect on their experiences within the contextualized implementation of a collaborative, reflective service-learning model? (IN PROGRESS)
Alliances
Entity Name: Cornell University, Einhorn Center for Community Engagement
Country: United States
Type of Collaboration: Agreement – Global Hubs
Entity Name: Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Entity Name: Ikiam Amazonian University
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Entity Name: Universidad UTE
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Entity Name: Unidos Por la Educación
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Entity Name: Colegio Einstein
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
Entity Name: IES Abroad
Country: Ecuador
Type of Collaboration: Agreement - Ecuadorian Network of Service-Learning
