Impact of a Service Learning Program to the University and the Community

Abstract

Service Learning (SL) is a community-based learning approach which is intended to empower student skills and attitudes, foster civic responsibility and contribute to the benefit of the community. It is believed that SL programs can benefit institutions, especially towards social change in society. This study was conducted to explore the impact of SL on the universities and society in Johor. This study utilized a qualitative research design, where interviews were conducted to gather respondents’ feedback. A total number of 18 respondents were selected out of which eight were instructors from Higher Education Institution and ten were people from the community who had participated in a SL program. Content analysis was used to analyze the transcribed data collected through interviews. The findings show that SL played a significant role towards students’ skills development, especially in communication, leadership and other soft skills. Apart from enhancing students’ skills development, SL also helped to increase positive images of the universities and, at the same time, to show the universities’ role as an agent for social change. As for society, the benefits that people could gain from SL were related to technology transfer, expertise and socio-economic improvement.