University volunteering as a field of service learning and social entrepreneuship: a case study

Authors

  • Ricardo Gaete Quezada Universidad de Antofagasta

Abstract

The present study aims at analyzing the interaction generated among university volunteering, service learning and social entrepreneurship in the universities of Antofagasta from an interpretive-hermeneutic paradigm perspective. The data was collected through a qualitative approach, with semi-structured interview as the main data collection technique, and using methods from the grounded theory for data analysis. The results obtained describe university volunteering as mostly a student initiative, mainly developed to take actions both to benefit the community and to encourage social and civic sensitivity in students regarding the problems and needs of the most vulnerable people in Antofagasta. University volunteering, thus, becomes fundamental to strengthen the process of university education as an expression of service learning, but also as a space for strengthening social business processes that transcend the university context and impact positively over the long term within the local community.

Keywords:

university students, university social responsibility, chilean universities

Author Biography

Ricardo Gaete Quezada, Universidad de Antofagasta

Académico e investigador del Departamento de Ciencias Sociales de la Universidad de Antofagasta, Doctor en Procesos de Cambio Social y Magíster en Gestión Pública. E-Mail: ricardo.gaete@uantof.cl.