Students` Educational Engagement through Voluntary Work Activities Inta Jaunzeme, Agita Smitina, Student Services University of Latvia, Latvia

Key data about Latvia Since 1991 – independent state – Republic of Latvia Number of inhabitants ( ) Number of students (2009/2010) Number of higher education institutions -34, colleges – 26 University of Latvia – state founded university in 1919 Number of students ( ) State financed study places

GDP Growth rate (%) Source: Eurostat * - forecasts for the year 2011

Volunteer Work in Latvia A new activity in Latvia – regulated by Youth Law ( ) and Associations and Foundations Law ( )Youth LawAssociations and Foundations Law According to Eurobarometer research which was conducted 2007, only 12 per cent of young people were involved in volunteering. This is one of the lowest indicators in the European Union 2011 – the Year of Europe of Volunteering to Promote Active Citizenship

Why to organize voluntary work at University? Students` skills development for successful integration in labour market Prevention of dropout students` increasing by active participation in university life

Students retention model (Tinto, 1975)

Participation - connection model (Finn, 1989) Extracurricular activity involvement Active participation in school life Involving in Decision making processes Greater sense of connection to school Decreased likelihood of dropout

Drop out students: data from Latvia 2005/ / / /2009 Amount of student drop out (full-time studies) Amount of student drop out (part-time studies) 15,9% 17,7% 15,2% 18,4% 16,2% 20,1% 15% 19,3%

Management of the programme Duration of the programme September –May Online applications Programme improvement according to the students needs Received 37 applications, 25 volunteers started the programme, 19 students finished Guidance provided by Student Services Outcome assessment

Student’ s motivation to participate in the programme To gain new experience and find new friends at the University To introduce others to the university and to promote it To help people and to see the results of your own work To spend free time more useful and to become more social active To improve different skills(organisational, social, technical) Get noticed by potential employers

Main activities and outcomes ActivitiesEventsCompetencies Participation in the events organization Educational exhibitions, Career Fair, Shadowing Day for school students, Admission Presentation skills Communication skills Technical skills Consultation skills Time management Distribution of information Provision of the university students with information about news in Student Service Communication skills Time management Creativity Focus group discussions Active participation in the focus group discussions related to students life at the university Communication skills Critical thinking Argumentation skills Presentation skills

Volunteer programme: our experience

Results and evaluation Students agree that they have developed social, presentation and some technical skills Extended student’s social network Involvement in different volunteer work activities has promoted greater sense of connection to the university 11 of volunteers have received a proposal to work as educational consultants during the admission process A student is employed as a consultant by the Student Service s department

Benefits of the university Enhancing students motivation and loyalty Engaging students to take part in the university life and present their own viewpoint Students for potential students Saving university resources Feedback about processes in the institution and improve student guidance

Future plans Development of two programmes: 1)To engage current volunteers` in the social programme “Youth in action”: assisting in preparation and implementation of different social projects; implementation of creative ideas, for example, preparation of engaging videos about activities of Student Services; 2) Offer new volunteers the current programme to assist in different projects of Student Services

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