Department co-ordinated a work programme for 21 students who were attached to various offices, community centres and child care institutions. On the other hand the staff of the Department has much to gain from extra-mural courses provided by both Universities. An eleven month certificate course run by the University of Hong Kong between March 1968 and January 1969 was designed especially for experienced social workers, and certain officers of the Department attended it.
94. Government continued to provide bursaries for social work students of both Universities. Bursaries amounting to $121,800 were awarded to 2 diploma and 43 degree students. In order to encourage meritorious students to take up social work as their career the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation offered some $25,000 to each University for use as scholarships for social work students.
IN-SERVICE TRAINING
95. The Department continued to organize in-service training courses for the staff of the voluntary welfare organizations as well as various Government Departments. These courses were given at three levels: for nursery workers with a secondary school education; for welfare auxiliaries with school leaving certificates; and for university graduates without professional training and practical experience. During the year 136 persons from 36 voluntary welfare organizations and three Government Departments attended a total of seven courses; about a quarter of the total attendance were members of the Public Service.
96. In addition to these courses the Department organized a series of seminars for its own senior officers as well as those from the voluntary welfare organizations. Five courses designed for experienced staff were organized during the year; in planning for these the Department circulated a questionaire to assess their needs for training and provision was made according to the response. Several local experts assisted in planning and teaching these courses which were attended by 136 persons.
97. The Department organized nine refresher courses for ex- perienced staff to keep up to date with new developments in social work, and a total of 348 persons attended. Five orientation courses were designed for newly-appointed staff, Assistant Social Welfare Officers, Welfare Assistants and Welfare Supervisors.
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