Author: Iman Oheish
The current study aims to investigate voluntary work and community participation as perceived of Al-Quds University students. The study approached the literature as a multi-dimensional phenomenon which addressed both theoretical and applied research. The significance of this recent study is the first which dealt with this theme, to the author knowledge which in turn encourages other researchers to work on further research on this important issue.
The study depended on quantitative descriptive approach, using a questionnaire developed by the researcher consisting of 40-item was formulated, which was divided into three sub-scales as follows: the general information of the participants; the second section dealt with the volunteer work (20 items); and the third section included a community participation scale (20 items). The random stratified method was utilized which comprised of a sample size of 369 male and female respondents from Al-Quds University students. The collected data was statistically analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).
The results revealed that the participants experienced a moderate level of voluntary work and a high level of community participation. The mean scores and standard deviation were (M 3.26 SD 0.50; M 3.74 SD 0.47) respectively. The findings revealed a positive correlation between voluntary work and community participation among Al-Quds University students. It was found that when voluntary work increases, community participation increases and vice versa.
The results of the study revealed statistically significant differences in voluntary work and community participation among the students due to gender, year of study and place of residency. However, no statistical significant differences were found in the rest of the study variables named college, and cumulative average.
In the light of the current study and its discussions, the following is recommended: promote and instill volunteerism concepts, community participation, under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education, through educational and community institutions, such as families, houses of worship and educational subjects, strengthening student councils at universities for youth attitudes towards volunteering and joint teamwork away from frameworks narrow partisanship, out of a comprehensive national. Provide an opportunity for female students in more active roles at voluntary work and community participation, and finally, further research is essential to develop an understanding of voluntary work and community participation using the case study and qualitative research design.
Keywords: Voluntary work, community participation, Al-Quds University, Palestine.
Iman Oheish, MA. Sustainable Rural Development, Institute of Sustainable Development, Al-Quds University, Main Campus, Jerusalem- Abu Dies, Palestine. Dean Assistant, Deanship of Student Affairs, Al-Quds University, Main Campus, Jerusalem- Abu Dies, Palestine. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
