The idea for this project comes from the students, but UM also thinks it’s interesting. “Maastricht University doesn’t only want to deliver well-trained and critical students, they must also be socially involved,” says SSC director Margriet Schreuders. “With the ‘badges’ that students can earn for those extracurricular activities, the UM wants to encourage them to do something for society.” To prevent students from going crazy collecting loads of badges, there is a maximum of five. “The idea is that it shouldn’t produce extra pressure.”
“Taking the neighbour’s dog out for a walk doesn’t earn you a badge,” says Schreuders. An SSC advisory committee will determine which assignments will be worth a certificate. Students themselves can submit activities in an online system, on which also organisations can register assignments and volunteer vacancies. Students who carried out work outside their study programme before 2022, cannot claim any badges.
An important condition is that the social contribution is unpaid. University Council members or board members of study or student association can apply for a badge from 2022. “Their compensation is not a salary, but an indemnification for the study delay that they incur.” Exactly how they will deal with work placement compensation, the SSC director doesn’t know yet. “The details are still being worked out.”
The pilot will cost about 475 thousand and will be paid for from the money from the quality agreements – funds freed up from the abolishment of the borrowing system. The experiment will start in January 2022 and an evaluation “together with students” will be carried out at the end of 2024. If it proves a success, there is sufficient money to continue until at least 2027.