XN000022-1976-07-19 — Page 2

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MONDAY, JULY 19, 1976

INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING TO BECOME PART OF POLYTECHNIC

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THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING WHICH PROVIDES A TWO-YEAR CERTIFICATE COURSE FOR MID-LEVEL SOCIAL WORKERS, IS TO BE INTEGRATED WITH THE POLYTECHNIC FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1977.

THE INSTITUTE WAS SET UP IN 1973. IN ORDER TO ALLOW IT TIME TO BECOME PROPERLY ESTABLISHED AND STAFFED BEFORE A DECISION WAS MADE ON ITS PERMANENT STATUS IT OPERATED UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

THE RECOMMENDATION TO INTEGRATE IT WITH THE POLYTECHNIC HAS BEEN MADE BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE INSTITUTE'S ACADEMIC BOARD AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FOLLOWING EXAMINATION OF THE EXPERIENCE GAINED OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID, IT WAS FELT THAT SOCIAL WORK TRAINING AND ITS FURTHER DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE AT A TERTIARY LEVEL AS PART OF THE POLYTECHNIC RATHER THAN IN A GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION.

+AS MEMBERS OF A LARGE TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS WOULD HAVE EXTENSIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTACTS WITH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN OTHER DISCIPLINES AND PROFESSIONS, THUS BROADENING THEIR OUTLOOK, HE SAID.

IN ADDITION, THE RESOURCES OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE POLYTECHNIC WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE TRAINING IN RELATED SOCIAL SCIENCE FIELDS SUCH AS ECONOMICS.

THE POLYTECHNIC ITSELF WOULD BENEFIT, HE POINTED OUT, IN THAT THE ADDITION OF A SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMME WOULD ASSIST IN DEVELOPING ITS APPLIED SCIENCE PROGRAMMES AND ITS SOCIAL SCIENCE STAFF RESOURCES.

THE OTHER ADVANTAGES ARE THAT THE POLYTECHNIC HAS THE MACHINERY TO EXPLORE AND MEET MANPOWER NEEDS AND IS BEST FITTED TO COPE WITH ACCOMMODATION FOR EXPANDING SOCIAL WORK TRAINING

IN FUTURE- RECOGNITION AND ACCREDITATION OF SOCIAL WORK COURSES CAN BEST BE ACHIEVED AND MAINTAINED IN A BROADER TERTIARY INSTITUTION SUCH AS THE POLYTECHNIC, AND IT WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A MORE SATISFACTORY CAREER STRUCTURE FOR FACULTY MEMBERS.

THE DIRECTORS AND THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE POLYTECHNIC HAVE BEEN CONSULTED AND SUPPORT THE INTEGRATION SUBJECT TO THE NECESSARY FINANCE BEING MADE AVAILABLE.

/THE INSTITUTE