UNIVERSITY OF RUSE "ANGEL KANCHEV"
UNION OF SCIENTISTS - RUSE

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The paper was presented in Section 6.4 – Education - Research and Innovations.

FRI-2G.307-1-ERI-04

EXTENDING SERVICE-LEARNING FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACCESS. A COLLABORATIVE CASE STUDY BETWEEN TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING BUCHAREST AND THE UNIVERSITY OF RUSE “ANGEL KANCHEV”

Language: ENPages: 64-71

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Assoc. Prof. Ion Mierlus-Mazilu, PhD

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Faculty of Civil, Industrial and Agricultural Buildings Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, Romania

E-mail: ion.mierlusmazilu@utcb.ro

Assoc. Prof. Emilia Velikova, PhD

Department of Mathematics Faculty of Natural Sciences and Education University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”

E-mail: evelikova@uni-ruse.bg

Pr. Assist. Prof. Ralitsa Vasileva-Ivanova, PhD

Department of Mathematics Faculty of Natural Sciences and Education University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”

E-mail: rivanova@uni-ruse.bg

Abstract: This paper presents the extension of the Service-Learning initiative “Illuminating Sustainable Futures - Solar Empower, Energize Tomorrow” from the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest (UTCB) to the University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev” (RU), Bulgaria, within the Erasmus+ GIRLS project (2022-1- ES01-KA220-HED-000089166). The study highlights how Service-Learning, as a pedagogical method, connects academic knowledge with real-world challenges in sustainable energy access. The project implementation at RU was structured into four phases: preparatory activities, the first implementation stage, the second implementation stage, and the final stage of evaluation and dissemination. Each phase combined academic, community, and stakeholder engagement, offering students opportunities to develop technical skills, civic responsibility, and critical thinking through experiential learning. Results indicate strengthened institutional cooperation, enhanced student competencies, and increased awareness of sustainable energy practices in the local community. The paper further compares the implementation at UTCB and RU, identifies key lessons learned, and proposes recommendations for embedding Service-Learning into higher education curricula with a focus on sustainability.

Keywords: Service-Learning, Sustainable Energy, Higher Education, Experiential Learning, Community Engagement, Erasmus+ GIRLS Project

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