Title:
The Contribution of Service-Learning to the Holistic Development of Engineering Students in Private Higher Education [Download]Authors:
Thiago J. Luz
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Abstract:
The demand for engineering programmes has declined by 30% over the last decade, creating a critical need for retention strategies. In 2021, the mandatory integration of extension into the undergraduate curriculum was established in Brazil, requiring that a minimum of 10% of the total curriculum be dedicated to extension activities. This exploratory case study investigates the impact of extension activities integrated into the curriculum on the holistic development and academic retention of nontraditional engineering students (working adults) at a private higher education institution. It aims to analyse the potential of extension as a strategic tool to mitigate the “engineering blackout” and the skills gap in the labour market. This study analyses the implementation of service-learning in two courses of an Electrical Engineering programme between 2024 and 2025, in which 38 students participated. The intervention involved nine service-learning projects ranging from technical consultancy to community co-creation. Data collection utilised individual self-assessments and technical reports, analysed through content analysis based on the Queiruga-Dios framework and Freire’s theoretical perspective. Findings indicate that 92% of students developed technical skills and 89% improved soft skills, such as teamwork and adaptability. Furthermore, 76% demonstrated a shift in social responsibility attitudes, and four out of nine projects achieved a transformative approach, characterised by direct co-creation and dialogue. Crucially, the extension courses achieved a 97.4% student success rate, contrasting sharply with a 36.1% failure/dropout rate in standard technical courses during the same period. The study concludes that mandatory extension effectively democratizes professional skill acquisition and fosters organic community engagement, serving as a vital retention strategy for private institutions despite resource constraints.
DOI:
How to cite:
Thiago J. Luz, "The Contribution of Service-Learning to the Holistic Development of Engineering Students in Private Higher Education", IEEE-RITA, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 296-305, Jan. 2026. doi: 10.1109/RITA.2026.3682724