Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1948-1954 — Page 11

fession and were of little practical use for inexperienced juniors. A small committee was formed in 1948, which prepared a report on proposals for the setting up of Social Science Degree, Diploma, and Certificate Courses by the University of Hong Kong. Government, on the recommendation of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, accepted these proposals in prin- ciple. The University also showed great interest, and in September, 1950 the first course of this kind in Hong Kong was instituted. This course was a two-year one, and for the first academic year the Social Welfare Office had to second one of its principal officers to take charge of the practical training. Five government departments assisted in giving lectures, and all of them, together with a number of voluntary organizations, gave considerable help in organizing visits of observation, and in the explanation of their specialized activities. The Social Welfare Office also made freely available to the University-and indeed, to any interested member of the public-the use of its excellent technical and reference library, which had been started in April, 1948.

10. During the period under review no other courses were provided in general social training.

11. The only regular course of specialized training was in youth work and club leadership. This course materialized largely as a result of the recommendations to Government of the Standing Conference of Youth Organizations and was instituted for a group of seven potential club leaders, with the help and co-operation of the Grantham Teachers Training College. Similar courses organized in Great Britain were closely studied, and valuable lessons were learnt from club- leaders' courses previously arranged by the Boys' and Girls' Club Association in co-operation with the Social Welfare Office.

Government subsidized this course by grants to students, in addition to the indirect aid given by members of the Social Welfare Office and Education Department, who took part in the running of the courses.

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