The Department of Social Work, in pursuit of the vision and mission of the college, offers academic programs to equip students with proficiency in interdisciplinary knowledge systems of social, economic, behavioural, environmental, law, human rights, gender, political and technology in order to promote social development. The evidence-based, action and intervention oriented practices are established through - teaching-learning process, field-based learning and internships that guide the students to uphold the core values of social work and develop professional social work competencies. The comprehensive understanding of the macro system knowledge framework, along with the understanding of contextual and ground-realities, the integration of which enables the students to effectively initiate change and development at the micro level. The unique features of the Department are participatory and sustainable development practices, capacity building trainings for students, macro-micro research initiatives, transfer of technology, social innovation and social entrepreneurship, which are rightly integrated to generate a cadre of competent social workers. The Department of Social Work was established in the year 2006. The department upholds professionalism and gives equal importance to theory and practicum. We offer specialisations in Medical and Psychiatry, Family and Child Welfare and Community Development in line with the provisions of Mahatma Gandhi University. Social Work is a practice based profession and discipline that promotes social change and development. Today, Social work is an incredibly broad and diverse field; it offers an almost limitless range of career options. Social workers practice in a variety of settings, including hospitals, non-profit organizations, and mental health and counselling centres, schools, advocacy agencies, community organizations, corporate companies and government offices.
Enlighten Heart and Mind Filled with Social Commitment and Move with Social Action
To nurture proficient and professional social workers, equipping them to meet global needs, conduct impactful social research, and execute field action projects in innovative realms of social work. We are committed to engage in social action to protect and promote human rights.
SWARAM is the formal body of the Social Work Department, under which we organise all programmes. There is a student Governing Body that works alongside the faculty of the department in planning, organising, implementing and evaluating events and activities. This provides the students and faculty equal onus and helps build core skills in organisation and management. It also promotes initiative and supports the personal and professional growth of the students.
Ubuntu is a philosophy based on the integrated perspectives of human and ecological rights. The Department of Social Work is sensitive to the social, environmental, political, gender and cultural issues that affect each one of us and we encourage our students to take a professional stand against these based on core human and social work values. We support our students in recognizing the importance of co- existing in harmony with our fellow human beings and environment. We are able to achieve this based on the vision and mission of our mother institution and the constitution of our country.
Social Work is a profession that requires skills to deal with challenging situations. Core Life Skills such as problem solving, decision making, empathetic understanding, creative thinking, critical thinking, effective communication, interpersonal skills, self awareness and coping with stress and emotions are important to effectively practice social work. Students have a real life opportunity to carry this out with Field Work and internship programmes right from the first semester. Students are supported to critically reflect on practice based learning opportunities using scientific tools such as Three Houses.
At the Department of Social Work, students are helped to gauge themselves and their skills using scientific tools such as SWOT, self -awareness assessments etc. They are hence able to identify their own skills and passions and take up measures to enhance and develop their professional and interpersonal skills.
Students are given autonomy in making informed choices in matters that directly impact on their professional growth such as their Specialisations, Field Work, internship and organising programmes of social importance. Students are supported in these through mentoring and supervision support to enhance the learning experience.
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W) degree programme encourages the empathetic involvement of students in activities that focus on social development It prepares students for professional practice in Social Work. Social Work Practicum is a very important component that aims at enabling students to understand the relevance between theory and practice and to concretize the theory learned in the classroom. We provide an excellent opportunity to students by exposing them to real-life situations through surveys, street plays, exposure visits, study tours, internships, and training in Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). Students also get an opportunity to work with Government Organisations, whereby they learn about Government schemes and programmes which help them in reaching out to the community. Networkings with Non-Government Organisations expose the students to a wide variety of challenges and interventions. Values such as selflessness and service are blended with leadership skills and social sensitivity that transforms them into leaders of tomorrow. This programme enhances the core values, ethics, knowledge, and skills of social work for professional practice.