United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia
Introduction
Service-Learning at Maris Stella College is a transformative initiative supported by the United Board for Christian Higher Education. This programme integrates academic instruction with meaningful community service, fostering critical thinking, reflective practice, and a strong sense of civic responsibility among students.
Service-Learning at Maris Stella College
Service-learning at Maris Stella College empowers students to engage with communities to address identified needs while enhancing their academic skills and commitment to social responsibility. This pedagogical approach enables students to leverage their cognitive, affective, intuitive, and societal attributes, distinguishing them as socially conscious learners. Through service-learning, students are encouraged to explore their interests, develop leadership skills, and critically examine issues of justice while addressing real-world community challenges. This programme is implemented across all academic departments, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to education.
Our experience with service-learning has demonstrated that when students are exposed to the social realities and adversities faced by marginalized communities, they become motivated to contribute their time and resources to support disadvantaged populations. Service-learning provides students with experiential learning opportunities, deepening their understanding of community needs and fostering their social, academic, and cognitive development. The community, in turn, directly benefits from the actions and initiatives undertaken through these service-learning activities.
United Board Projects and Programs
Maris Stella College has actively participated in several United Board initiatives, including:
- Bamboogrant Project (2019–2020): A project aimed at fostering sustainable community development.
- Service-Learning Project (January 2022–December 2023): Titled “Towards Transformed and Emancipated Communities through ‘Whole Person Education’: From Pedagogy to Praxis,” this project emphasizes the integration of service-learning into academic practices to create meaningful social impact.
- United Board Fellows Program: A leadership development initiative for faculty members.
- Leadership Programs: Designed to enhance the leadership capabilities of faculty.
- Service-Learning Certificate Courses: Faculty members participate in these courses as offered every year, further strengthening their expertise in service-learning pedagogy.
Through these initiatives, Maris Stella College continues to uphold its commitment to holistic education, social responsibility, and community engagement, aligning with its mission to foster transformative learning experiences for students and faculty alike.
