Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1961-1962 — Page 11

and Mrs. Josephine CHAISSON (formerly an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Toronto and recently serving as a consultant with various social agencies in Canada). Miss MOSCROP, the Consultant on In-Service Training, arrived in January 1962, and was able rapidly to embark upon an assessment of in-service training needs and the development of plans to meet them. With the arrival in May 1962 of Professor KLEIN and Mrs. CHAISSON, who will be primarily concerned with formal or academic social work training, the team would be com- plete. The assignment of the three consultants has been sponsored and supported through the generosity of the United States Government, the Canadian Technical Assistance Programme and the Asia Foundation.

14. The emphasis on forward planning for social work training did not, however, obscure the significance of existing programmes of training. These fall broadly into three categories; regular or formal courses available in Hong Kong; special short term courses organized by the Department and voluntary welfare agencies; and courses of higher training overseas.

15. The University of Hong Kong provides a two-year course for matriculates leading to a certificate in Social Studies and a one-year post-graduate course leading to a diploma. The total number of students who have completed one or other of these courses between 1952 and 1961 is 82. Of these, 29 are now working in the Department while 42 others are employed in other departments or in voluntary agencies. 13 students completed these Social Studies courses during 1961 and at the end of March 1962 there were 15 certificate and 5 diploma students enrolled in the University.

16. Bursaries provided by the Government to a total value of $27,250 were shared by 11 certificate students and 1 diploma student, while 12 Arts students holding bursaries to a total value of $35,000 are at present taking their degree course and are committed to proceeding to the diploma course. There has been some increase in competition among applicants for these bursaries: 12 candidates applied for bursaries to take the Certificate Course, for which 8 awards were made, 4 for the Diploma Course, for which 1 bursary was awarded and 49 candi- dates applied for bursaries for the Degree followed by the Diploma Course, for which 10 awards were made. While this modest rise in interest in social work as a career is encouraging, it is evident that continuous efforts must be made to encourage young people to qualify for this satisfying yet demanding profession.

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