USM, PENANG, 21 March 2016 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is the first university in the country to offer a course in social work since 1975. 

According to the Dean, School of Social Sciences, Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman, in the past 41 years, USM has supported the development of the said course, in line with the aim to produce more professional social workers to fulfil the needs of the nation.

She hoped that the course in social work would continue to mould competent graduates having high values and ethics, who would be able to continue in providing their services to society. 

Speaking in conjunction with World Social Work Day celebrated on the 15th March every year, Azlinda said that, the event celebrates the lecturers and social work advocates around the world, especially among members of the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) and International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW).

The Exco of the Malaysian Association of Social Workers (MASW) said that, World Social Work Day is celebrated in developed countries to acknowledge and celebrate the educators and social work practitioners for their contributions in providing services to the various social groups who are in need of assistance. 

“The celebration of this year’s National Social Workers’ Day has the theme ‘Promoting the Dignity and Worth of Peoples: No One will be Left Behind’ which was chosen based on the global agenda of IFSW-IASSW, which is towards having a total and harmonious social development,” she said.

In addition, she said this year the MASW celebrated the national-level Social Work Day by organising a public forum on Saturday, 19 March 2016 at the Brickfields Asia College, Petaling Jaya Campus to further discuss this year’s theme. 

Representative of the High Commissioner of the United Nations’ Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) Malaysia, Richard J. Towle also delivered a speech in conjunction with the forum. 

The Social Work Club at the USM School of Social Sciences also plays an active role in raising the awareness and updating the social workers on current issues, as well as in providing continuous services to the local community.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: New Gaik Siew (USM Internship Student)