March 1961, there were 14 students taking the certificate course and five the diploma course. Bursaries provided by the Government to the total value of $28,700 were shared by 11 of these 19 students.
14. At present there are 11 bursaries available from Government funds for social studies courses at the University-three for the diploma course, four for the certificate course and four for a degree plus diploma course; the last four bursaries offer financial assistance for students for a complete academic course of four years, to include the post-graduate diploma. However, the number of candidates coming forward for bursaries has usually been small. For the current 1960-61 session, eight candidates applied for certificate bursaries and four awards were made; one of those who received an award subsequently withdrew. No candidate applied for a one-year diploma bursary but an additional grant was made to a second-year student who already held a bursary. Twenty six candidates applied for the four-year degree plus diploma bursaries but only two reached the Selection Board's standard for the award. This was a striking illustration of the dearth of candi- dates of good standard for academic preparation leading to a career in social work.
15. Apart from the regular certificate and diploma courses, the University also conducts extra-mural courses from time to time. During the year 58 officers took such courses on social work, child psychology, library techniques and the social and psychological aspects of crime. In addition to the facilities offered by the University of Hong Kong, regular courses in sociology, with varying degrees of social work con- tent, are given at four post-secondary colleges. A total of 60 students completed these courses during 1960.
16. Special courses conducted by the Department and various volun- tary organizations have become an increasingly important element in the training picture. In May, the Department, in co-operation with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, conducted a six-month intro- ductory course in social work for 12 secondary school students, four of whom subsequently joined the Department. Twenty-two out of 25 students successfully completed an eight-month nursery workers' training course. In January, 15 officers and three members of the staff of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals participated in a three-month in-service training course on the rehabilitation of handicapped persons run by the Department. Voluntary organizations also ran a variety of courses for paid and voluntary workers during the year.
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