Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1963-1964 — Page 51

students have completed one or other of these courses between 1952 and 1963. Of these, thirty-five are now working in the Social Welfare Department and twenty-four in the Almoners' Service. Of the balance, thirty-one are employed in other government departments and in voluntary social welfare agencies. Thirteen students completed their courses during 1963, and seventeen are enrolled in the current year for the certificate and another eight for the postgraduate diploma.

92. Since qualified supervisors for the field work training of University students are rare, six special field work units were set up within suitable voluntary agencies, each providing practical training under the supervision of a fully qualified social worker, all but one of whom were attached to the University of Hong Kong or the Chinese University. The money to support these arrangements came as before from the Social Work Training Fund (see paragraph 97 below).

93. The Government continued to provide bursaries for students enrolled in the diploma and certificate courses, as well as for students taking a university arts degree who intend to proceed afterwards to the diploma course; the total value of bursaries awarded during the year was $94,250, held by seven certificate students, two diploma and twenty-one arts degree students. During the year three new bursary awards were made to certificate students and eight to undergraduates studying for a degree followed by the diploma. As the community becomes increasingly aware of social work as a rewarding career, it is expected that the number and quality of candidates for the two courses will show a corresponding increase. Scholarships are needed, as well as bursaries, so as to attract students of the highest calibre.

94. Social work training is also provided at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in the Chung Chi College Department of Sociology and Social Work. Seventy students secured diplomas with social work majors between 1958 and 1963, and the graduating class in social work this year numbers nine students; this credential has been accepted since 1960 for the grade of Social Welfare Officer Class III in the Department. Back- ground studies are also offered by the Extra-Mural Department of the University of Hong Kong and during the year many officers of the depart- ment took courses in such subjects as Human Relations, Social Psychology, Library Technique and Development, Special Education and Special Welfare Services.

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