Social Work Education in Countries of the East : Issues and Challenges

A humanitarian profession as diverse as the population it serves, social work today has taken roots globally, as a profession that enables people to deal with various complex and difficult circumstances. Complexities may stem from individual, family or structural issues that require a range of professional social work skills to mitigate circumstances, alleviate distress and enhance adjustment. Social work is concerned with ensuring the responsiveness and effectiveness of various social institutions and systems within which individuals belong and operate. The ultimate goal, then, is to usher in a better quality of life and promote psychosocial functioning of people and thereby an improved social order. Social work education is hence the crucible where one's professional repertoire is moulded and the professional acquires knowledge, attitudes and skills so vital for effective and ethical practice.