Singapore volunteers help train social workers in Vietnam

A team of seven Singaporean social work professionals came to Vietnam to help enhance skills in social work teaching and practice for 40 local academics and practitioners under a cooperative project between Singapore International Foundation (SIF) and University of Labour and Social Affairs (ULSA) from 2010 to 2012.

The project has not only brought Singaporean and Vietnamese professionals together to share skills, knowledge and expertise across borders, but it has also enabled Vietnamese academic and practitioners to work together in closing the gap between practice and theory, and creating a greater collective understanding of social work in its entirety.

The project has also been a two-way learning journey for professionals from both countries, introducing them to each other’s culture, working styles and practices. The trainees will apply their new knowledge and skills to train over 1,000 social work students.

Most of these students will become social work professionals engaged with communities and individuals, particularly at the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum, who face challenges due to inadequate access to resources and services.

These trained social workers shall impact on entire communities, helping them to manage challenges so as not to be left behind in the wake of Vietnam’s economic growth and development.

Rector of ULSA, Professor Nguyen Thi Thuan said: “Our partnership with SIF has helped to enhance the quality of teaching for our social work department, and improve the knowledge and confidence of our lecturers. Through this project, it is our hope that social work, which is a fairly new discipline and profession, will be more affirmed and legitimised in Vietnam.”

To discuss the progress made and the learnings acquired, a one-day SIF-ULSA social work seminar took place in Hanoi yesterday to give social work professionals an opportunity to discuss emerging social challenges and ways to keep pace and be able to address them.

On the occasion, director of International Volunteerism at SIF Margaret Thevarakom said, “Vietnamese and Singaporean professionals have been brought together today to share and exchange expertise, skills and resources in order to raise standards of social work teaching and practice. This has only been possible through strong partnerships with like-minded organisations working towards the common goal of strengthening Vietnam’s social work field. Most importantly, however, is the impact which each new trained social worker will have on the lives of so many individual men, women and children.”

“Singapore is happy to share experience and exchange ideas on social work policies and activities with Vietnam. In addition to the numerous projects supported by the SIF, many Singaporean organisations, companies and individuals have also come to Vietnam to engage in social work activities. These platforms have encouraged meaningful friendships and deeper understanding between our peoples,” said Singapore Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Ng Teck Hean. “As a strategic partner of Vietnam, Singapore is glad to keep up such exchanges with Vietnam, as we continue to learn and improve on our social work practices, hand-in-hand and side-by-side with our Vietnamese friends.”