FRIDAY, 18 MARCH – Awareness on the importance of social work profession is imperative so that public would understand the responsibilities and functions of the said job, said the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Alumni (HEPA) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali.
He said, social work was a focus-driven profession that included handling of problems, increasing social functions, and promoting a quality living standard for individuals, families, groups and communities.
”Social work is very important in providing knowledge-based professionals on this job, its values and principles, ethics of the profession and intervention.
“Therefore, the response or appreciation day such as this is necessary to appreciate the work and practices carried out by social workers throughout the world in general and in particular the social workers and social work students of UMS,” he said.
He said this in his speech at the opening of World Social Work Day 2016 state level held at the seminar room of the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP), recently.
His speech was read by the Deputy Dean, Academic and Student Affairs of FPP, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Dahlan Ab. Malek.
Ismail Ali said, during the two-day programme, various activities were planned, which included the sharing of knowledge, blood donation drive, car boot sale, exhibition by non-governmental agencies and organisations as well as programmes with the orphans.
“This programme is a good mechanism to foster better relationship between social workers, lecturers, and students of social work at UMS,” he said.
The programme also had the support of a few government agencies and non-governmental organisations; among them were the Welfare Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Thalassaemia Society of Sabah, Sabah Society for the Deaf, Sabah Cheshire Home, Good Shepherd Services, Sabah Society for the Blind and Sabah Mental Health Association.
Present at the ceremony were the Deputy Dean, Student Affairs and Alumni of FPP, Associate Professor Dr. Suyansah Swanto; Head of Social Work Programme, Habibie Hj. Ibrahim; Coordinator of the World Social Work Day 2016, Durin Edward and the Director of the World Social Work Day 2016, Ismah Hanani Zambri. – MA (fl)
