For the International Volunteer Day this Thursday, 5 December, Toulouse School of Management (TSM) is highlighting the importance of civic engagement, now integrated into first-year programmes through the course unit “Responsible and Civic Management.” This course, offered to students in B1 Management, B1 Law and Management, and B1 Digital and Management programmes, fosters reflection on citizenship and collective commitment while enabling students to engage in meaningful and formative real-world experiences. At TSM, volunteering is recognised and rewarded for all students*, and the school has a partnership established in 2023 with Hall of Change, which provides new opportunities for the entire student community to get involved.
Exploring Volunteering from the first year at TSM
Starting university often brings new academic and personal challenges. Through this course, TSM aims to guide students towards openness and civic involvement from their very first year. Some students share how this initiative has helped them realise the importance of volunteering:
It’s a great initiative to encourage us to take time for volunteering because it’s something we wouldn’t necessarily think of doing during our studies.
For others, it’s an opportunity to discover a new aspect of engagement:
“This course offers a new perspective on volunteering. It makes us think about what it can bring to us and what we can give to others.”
Whether it’s a first experience or a continuation of previous activities, this course unit helps shape responsible managers who are attentive to their environment.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
By participating in community projects, students develop interpersonal skills that complement their academic training. These experiences challenge them to step out of their comfort zones, as one student explains:
It’s a good initiative because it encourages us to try new experiences and step out of our comfort zones.
They also learn to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, enhancing mutual understanding and solidarity:
I observed how much solidarity we can have. Moreover, volunteering allowed me to meet people with completely different profiles, which was very interesting.
These testimonials underline the importance of such initiatives in fostering civic and social responsibility.
A Pedagogical and Civic Approach
For Toulouse School of Management, this course reflects a commitment to raising students’ awareness of their societal roles and responsibilities as future managers within teams.
It provides a space for engagement where students discover the value of human connection, the satisfaction of contributing to a cause, and the formative aspects of volunteering. As one student puts it:
It helps us not to be entirely consumed by our studies and motivates us to do good deeds to help others
These initiatives also strengthen the integration of volunteering into academic life, preparing students to incorporate social values into their future professional careers.
An Innovative Course Unit
By celebrating International Volunteer Day, Toulouse School of Management showcases a balanced approach to education: learning, personal enrichment, and reflecting on one’s role in society.
This innovative course paves the way for a vision of responsible management that combines academic excellence with civic engagement.
Want to Apply to TSM?
Are you interested in joining a school that values social commitment and trains the managers of tomorrow?
Find all the information about admission requirements and the programmes offered on our application page.
*Note: The term “recognised and rewarded” refers to the integration of volunteering into the academic pathway, such as bonus points towards grades, allowing students to highlight their volunteer experience in their studies.
