Description of a participatory diagnostic process of the institutionalization of service-learning

Abstract

To advance the institutionalization of service-learning (SL) in Catholic universities, the launch of the UNISERVITATE program was carried out in 2020. The objective of this article is to describe how a participatory process for diagnosing the institutionalization of SL is approached from the Furco rubric at St. Mary’s university, Universidade Católica de Portugal and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. This process has been led by the region's hub, the University of Deusto. To this end, an evaluation of the degree of institutionalization of the SL has been carried out through a tool that identifies where the universities are in the institutionalization process. As a result, the tool, the strengths and weaknesses identified in the institutions, and the action plans derived from them are presented. Finally, the need to undertake research on what the institutionalization of SL implies in Catholic higher education institutions is highlighted, as well as the importance of promoting said process to promote the integral human development of students in higher education.