Assessing Partner Engagement in ServiceLearning Programs

A significant contribution to the development of project-based learning is made by the new pedagogical approach «Service-Learning.» One of its fundamental principles is the formation of a partnership network and the culture of interaction with partner organizations. However, the relatively short period of implementing the «Service-Learning» methodology does not allow universities to accumulate and generalize experience working with partners within this program. Therefore, the aim of this article is to examine the issues and prospects of involving partners of Russian universities in the implementation of the «Service-Learning» program, based on data from a nationwide sociological survey. The article discusses the awareness of representatives of partner organizations about the «Service-Learning» program and the functions performed by these organizations in the process of project implementation. Special attention is given to the various challenges faced by partners as project customers and their satisfaction with participation in the program. Addressing these issues allows for an assessment of the readiness of partner organizations to further develop relationships with universities in the context of project-based learning in general and «Service-Learning» in particular.