In accordance with the Third Mission of the KU, SL projects enable an exchange of ideas and knowledge between the academic world and society, politics and economy, which generates more than a mere growth in knowledge. Research questions that have come up in society are taken to university while the results of academic research reach society. Consequently, SL supports teaching and research beyond campus walls. At the same time SL projects as part of degree programs and academic teaching promote an education, where networking, discourse, commitment and personality play a major role.

SL projects at the KU are symbols of innovative education or social innovation through volunteering, as they meet the requirements of defined subject-specific curricular criteria, all the while giving lecturers and students the necessary leeway to create individual new learning formats. In addition, Service Learning projects at the KU have to meet clearly defined quality criteria, which are continuously optimized through formative and summative evaluations. The active exchange in national and international SL networks (Hochschulnetzwerk Bildung durch Verantwortung and UNISERVITATE) means that current academic insights on SL practices are continuously being integrated into our program.

The close link between course content and practical application as well as the consideration of concrete social needs of our partners are a real asset for all the stakeholders in SL.

Students profit because they can:

• link their academic skills and knowledge with civic commitment,
• relate class content with relevant current issues,
• try out and hone their skills in real-life situations,
• get experience and reflect on challenging situations,
• give back to society,
• acquire professional, methodical and social skills and
• are in this way being prepared for current challenges.

Lecturers profit because they can:

• teach scientific methods and tools in great depth,
• combine academic theory with its practical application in a meaningful way,
• discover new ways to better combine research and teaching,
• coach their students through learning processes,
• reflect with students on their learning journeys,
• teach and learn on an equal footing with students,
• cooperate with extramural players.

Partners profit because they can:

• get support from committed students,
• use scientific expertise to address current challenges,
• get short or long-term support from a fixed partnership with the local university and
• get a chance to win new volunteers.

Service Learning-classes as an innovative learning and teaching format contribute greatly to fulfilling important quality criteria in the accreditation process of a degree program: Encouraging students to engage with civic society and to work on developing their personality are just as important requirements as qualifying graduates to take on professional employment.