Service-learning at the sectional Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá, an ongoing institutionalization experience

Abstract

The mission and educational project of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana declares the construction of a more just, sustainable, inclusive and respectful society of human dignity through comprehensive training and the production of relevant knowledge. Although throughout the history of the University there have been different educational experiences close to service-learning, it has not been formally institutionalized. In 2019 this possibility began to be considered and later, in 2020, the Rector signed the inter-institutional collaboration agreement with UNISERVITATE and entrusted the leadership and management of the project to the Office for the Promotion of University Social Responsibility. This article aims to systematize the experience to build a path of institutionalization of service-learning. Through semi-structured interviews, focus groups, documentary analysis and the systematization technique, information was collected in relation to the meanings and practices associated with the institutionalization process. This allowed a triangulation to be carried out to extract the needs, potentials and challenges involved in institutionalizing service-learning in the university. There is a need for service-learning to have clear and standardized institutional support.