ATTITUDES TOWARDS VOLUNTEERING AND ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT VOLUNTEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ZADAR

U istraživanju o volontiranju i vrednovanju volonterskog rada studenata Sveučilišta u Zadru sudjelovalo je 340 studenata preddiplomskih i diplomskih studija s gotovo svih sastavnica te 136 nastavnika iz različitih područja znanosti i akademskih zvanja. Rezultati pokazuju da je u razdoblju od početka studiranja 53% ispitanih studenata volontiralo. Imaju raznovrsna volonterska iskustva, ne samo na sveučilištu i u lokalnoj zajednici, već i u inozemstvu. Povezanost volonterskih aktivnosti s područjem studiranja podjednako im je važna i nevažna, a dominira želja za uključivanjem u kratkoročne aktivnosti i aktivnosti humanitarnog karaktera, potom aktivnosti koje uključuju rad s djecom i aktivnosti koje organiziraju sami studenti. Trećina ispitanih planira se uključiti u aktivnosti koje organiziraju nastavnici na Sveučilištu, ali i volonterske aktivnosti u zajednici i u inozemstvu. Interes postoji i za kulturno-umjetničke sadržaje, sportske, aktivnosti zaštite okoliša, volontiranje u području socijalne skrbi te sa starijima i nemoćnima. Unatoč interesu, istraživanje pokazuje da je potrebno unaprijediti informiranje studenata o volontiranju i volonterskim treninzima za mlade, osobito u skupini studenata-nevolontera. Usporedba stavova nastavnika i studenata pokazala je da obje skupine prepoznaju osobni i društveni značaj volontiranja, za akademsku, i za širu zajednicu. Kod nastavnika postoji interes za informiranjem i stručnim usavršavanjem o temi volontiranja studenata, te društveno korisnom učenju kao nastavnoj metodi. Studenti su željeli da se društveno korisno učenje razvija na Sveučilištu na način da na svakom studijskom programu postoje kolegiji koji koriste tu nastavnu metodu, i to tako da se volontiranje organizira u obliku izbornog kolegija. Dio nastavnika spremni su i žele navedene oblike rada uvrstiti u nastavu, ali žele da im se osigura stručna, administrativna ili logistička pomoć. Nastavnici i studenti složili su se s tvrdnjom da je potrebno nagrađivati (i time poticati) volontiranje. Obje skupine daju prednost pisanim potvrdama i zahvalnicama nad ostalim oblicima nagrađivanja.In research on volunteering and assessment of students\u27 volunteer work conducted at the University of Zadar participated 340 students of almost all undergraduate and graduate studies and 136 academics from different fields of science and different academic ranks. Results are showing that in the period from beginning of studying, 53% of examined students have volunteered. They have different volunteering experiences, not only at University and in community, but also abroad. Connections between volunteering activities and the field of studying are equally important and unimportant, but what dominates is the desire for including in short-term and humanitarian activities, followed by activities that involve working with children and activities organized by the students themselves. One third of respondents plan to participate in activities that are organized by the professors on University, but also in activities in community and abroad. Interest also exists for cultural and artistic facilities, sport activities, activities involving protection of environment, volunteering in field of social care, and with elderly and infirm. Despite the expressed interest, the research shows that it is necessary to improve informing students about volunteering itself and youth volunteering trainings, especially in a group of students who do not do volunteering. Comparison of academics\u27 and students\u27 attitudes showed that both assemblies recognize personal and social importance of volunteering, both for academic as well as for the wider community. Professors are interested in informing and professional training about the theme of students\u27 volunteering and service learning as a teaching method. Students expressed the desire for development of service learning on University in a way that there exist courses on each study program that would use the teaching method, and also to organize volunteering as an elective course. Part of the professors expresses their willingness to include such activities in classes, but also want to have professional, administrative or logistical assistance. Professors and students agreed with averment that it is necessary to reward (and thus encourage) volunteering. Both groups give priority to written receipts and acknowledgement over other forms of remuneratio