Abstract:

Community service in the Academy is a basis of measurable solutions development to real problems that society has in urban or rural areas. This article demonstrates the importance of learning-service for solving problems through direct interaction with beneficiaries. In the study area of Valle Hermoso and Las Minas located in La Libertad – Ecuador, the people have lived and developed their daily duties in the vicinities of the oil production and transport area. Therefore, through the implementation of better-standardized procedures based on recommendations by studies performed in this area the cooperation between Academy - Government Departments - Oil Company has improved their life quality. The methodology implemented began on the problem definition and information collection, it was subsequently processed and analyzed to determine improvements and to provide recommendations. Infrastructure has shown changes and improvements, due to the influence of projects developed in these areas since 2016 to the present date. These activities helped students to apply their knowledge acquired in class, to obtain palpable experiences, self-development, attitudes, and techniques improvements, which were evaluated by disciplinary and institutional learning outcomes. On the other hand, the community benefited from the knowledge and material realities. Therefore, learning-service represents a way to strengthen academic training, through real solutions that will help to improve the quality and lifestyle of the community. As a result of this project, 71% of operations and infrastructure conditions improved in comparison with the initial conditions. On the other hand, 29% of the infrastructure has shown damage due to weather conditions and lack of maintenance. The project's results indicated that the Operator has carried out its operations in the context of social responsibility, because of a positive influence of the project developed by Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL); moreover, it highlights the importance of a project structured through learning service.

Keywords:

Learning service, community, petroleum, environment, learning outcomes