The impact of university social services through social incubation and student engagement in poverty alleviation

Abstract

This chapter discusses three educational models of citizen participation through which students become aware of how poverty dehumanizes society and excludes people who suffer from it. These models focus on education in two ways: capacity building of the poor, and humanization and awareness by the non-poor. The methodology involved an analysis of the University Social Service (USS) models of ten Mexican universities and an interview with students from three Mexican private universities. The chapter discusses how the model of social incubation generates more commitment from students in combating poverty and offers the creation of sustainable solutions for improving living conditions of the poor. The chapter ends with a reflection on how USS contributes to the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role that universities have in their achievement.