Effects Of Service-Learning Education Among Engineering Undergraduates: A Scientific Perspective On Sustainable Waste Management

Abstract

Abstract The topic of environmental cleanliness and its protection has attained highest importance in this era globally. People around the world are aware of the impact of unscientific waste disposal, but the negligence of practices of basic concepts of collection, segregation and re-using of different types of environmental waste like solid, liquid, organic, hazardous and recyclable waste has given rise to chaotic situations. The data collected from engineering undergraduates (n=500) attending short term internationally reputed community service program was examined. After a detailed pre-test and post-test survey analysis, it was investigated that engineering under graduate volunteers participating in the service activities subsequently resulted an improvement in their environmental protection awareness level, along with maintaining community engagement and social development such as leadership potential, team work skills and sense of civic responsibilities. Such procurement strengthens the means of implementation and partnership for sustainable development. During the course of the service, the participants were able to learn the scientific ways of waste decomposition such as incineration, composting, fermentation along with the 3Rs of waste management; that is reduce, reuse and recycle of waste thereby recover the lost beauty of the nature. In short, the showcase of the results of significant sample of data reflects 60 percent of participants prominence in expanding their scale of awareness, 30 percent increased their passion for environmental protection while the remaining 10 percent, transformed into society change agents. The last but not the least 10 percent, the most relevant set of participants plays a pivotal role in making the society settle safely, resiliently and sustainably stable.