Welcome to the International Conference on “Social Welfare Policy, Practice, Research and Education: Public Engagement and Social Impact”! This Conference means a lot to the Department of Social Work as we are celebrating our 55th anniversary this year and this is our first celebratory event.

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The Department of Social Work was officially established in 1964 when it began to offer an Undergraduate Programme in Social Work, which was the first of its kind in the history of the territory. Responding to the continuing development of social services in Hong Kong and the increasing demand for advanced professional social work training, the Department continued to expand by launching a number of postgraduate programmes as well. Today, being one of the most well-established social work departments in Hong Kong, the Department has been able to attract staff and students of high calibre and has already built up a strong alumni network.

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Speaking of the alumni network, not only the Department is celebrating its 55th anniversary of establishment, but the Alumni Association is also celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the Alumni Association for their support to the Department and their contributions to our society in different fields upon graduation.

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It is time for us to review our impacts and achievements on our previous work throughout the years. I hope that the Conference will provide our participants with more insights on the future development of social work in Hong Kong.

 

Professor Ngai Sek Yum Steven
Chairperson
Department of Social Work
The Chinese University of Hong Kong