Title: Student Voluntarism and Youth Participation in Development: Evidence from the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Authors: Barsha Rani Mondal, Md. Golam Hasib, Farhat Tasnim
Volume: 10
Issue: 5
Pages: 409-416
Publication Date: 2026/05/28
Abstract:
In the 21st century, key competencies such as communication, collaboration, digital literacy, and leadership are essential for personal and professional success for students. Voluntary organizations play a pivotal role in nurturing these skills by engaging students in real-life problem-solving and community services. Through active involvement in initiatives like seminars, training sessions, workshops, and humanitarian efforts, students enhance their leadership, teamwork, and public engagement capabilities. Despite these recognized benefits, a significant number of students show limited interest in participating in voluntary organizations. This study aims to identify the barriers that hinder student participation and to assess the impacts of involvement on skill development and career readiness. Adopting a quantitative approach, this research utilizes convenience sampling through Google Forms for a survey of the students of the University of Rajshahi, the second largest University in Bangladesh. Findings indicate that students actively involved in voluntary organizations generally hold positive perceptions, highlighting personal growth, leadership qualities, networking opportunities, skill acquisition, and mental satisfaction as key outcomes. However, active participation remains low, primarily due to academic pressure, financial constraints, lack of enthusiasm, social media distraction, time limitation, job preparation, and security concerns, especially among female students. This research underscores the transformative potential of voluntary organizations in shaping a vibrant, inclusive campus culture. To foster greater engagement, universities must provide institutional support such as funding, safety measures, and resource access, while organizations should adopt innovative strategies to motivate student participation. Such efforts are crucial for cultivating socially responsible, skilled graduates prepared to meet the demands of an evolving global landscape.