The topic is connected with the social dimension of the education, narrowly with the social responsibility of students. Usually higher education researches focus on academic performance, neglecting the role of extracurricular engagements of students. My objective was to emphasize the role of the elementary communities, as the context of educational processes.

Students learn to socialize in communities, the norms and values of these communities have enormous individual and academic benefits. The participation in charity, volunteering, civil or church communitiess activities increases the chance that the students will have supporting attitudes towards non traditional peers (Pusztai 2004, Berei 2018).

The term 'social responsibility' is connected with ethic in business. Corporate social responsibility means environmental protection and renewable energy development but philanthropic social support, social engagement or action also. This is for the benefits of the large society and can be measured at individual or institutional level. In our neoliberal era, when the cooperation between public and private institutions has a significant relevancy, external and internal institutional dimensions are more researched, than individual level (Muresan and Potincu 2008, Mulec 2015, Vazquez Parra 2017).

The theory of corporate social responsibility is based on Caroll pyramid. Economic, legal and ethical responsibilities are managements obligations but philanthropic is more voluntary. Philanthropic responsibilities, at the top level of the pyramid  means contribution to improve the quality of life of the community. 'To play by the rules of the game' - to be legal is an obligation, but to contribute with resources to the community is a voluntary act (Caroll 1991).

In social sciences Putnam studied the role of the private institutions and revealed the contributions to the cohesion of the society (Putnam 1995). At individual level, social responsibility and maturity are connected (Nagy 2013). Increasing social responsibility, the prejudices of people decrease and increase the cooperation between different ethnically or cultural groups (Eyler 2001).

In our society one negative effect of the globalization is the social isolation of children and young people.  At the individual level the social immaturity problems are connected with relational (un)responsibilities (Nagy 2013, UNICEF Magyar Bizottsag 2014).

Starting from the theoretical framework outlined above and adapting the general concept of social responsibilities among students, the aim of my research was to study the social engagement of students on charity organizations activities in two EU member countries, Hungary and Romania. I am looking for the answer to the questions:
Are students involved in charity activities? What kind of activities? What are their motivations? Is there differences between Rumanian and Hungarian students?

The quantitative international survey data used in my analysis was collected and made available by the Higher Educational Research Centre of the University of Debrecen, Hungary, in 2012 (N=2618), in 2014-2015 (N=1536) and in 2018-2019 (N=1300) by HERD (Higher Education for Social Cohesion Cooperative Research and Development in a Cross – border Area Project HURO/0901/253/2.2.2.), by TESSCEE (Teacher Education Survey in Central and Eastern Europe) by SZAKTARNET (TÁMOP – 4.1.2.B.2-13/1-2013-0009 - Professional Service and Research Supporter of the Regional Teacher Training Network in North Hungary), by IESA (Research Application of the University of Debrecen RH/885/2013) and PERSIST projects. The present research uses the study sample from Romania (5 higher education institutions) and Hungary (3 higher education institutions). In my examination I had focused on student’s engagement, on a longitudinal and country comparative perspective, using SPSS statistical program to analyze data.

My first results show, that in 2012, in Hungary just a small proportion of students were engaged in social activities. In cross border area students were more active than average Hungarian young population. Comparing students’ extracurricular activities in 2012 and later, my results indicate, that students charity activities was increased. Comparing the Rumanian and Hungarian sample of students, I concluded, that students’ engagement was connected with the geographical area (country) which they belong. In this regard, there is a significant difference between them: Rumanian students were more active than Hungarian colleagues. The research emphasize the students engagements on charity organizations. The relevance of the topic consists mainly in offering a connection between academic world and the social context of the higher education.

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