Social workers to raise awareness of new social problems
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Social work must change with the times to help raise awareness of new problems in society, former president S R Nathan said on Friday.
He added that getting more people involved in dealing with issues in the community was one way to meet the needs of disadvantaged families.
And as the income gap widens, social workers will have to shed light on the resulting problems, said Mr Nathan. This could mean becoming an advocate to remind others how inequalities hurt society as a whole.
The former president was speaking at a dinner to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the department of social work at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Background story
Professorship launched
THE S R Nathan Professorship in Social Work was officially launched yesterday by the National University of Singapore's president, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan.
It is named after the former president of the Republic and early graduate of the university's department of social work.
The professorship will allow distinguished teachers to be brought in, including one full-time faculty member to work with the department's Centre for Social Development.
The Tote Board, Singapore Press Holdings and Keppel Care Foundation have already donated a total of $1.7 million towards the professorship, which was first announced in July at the university's 2012 graduation ceremony. The department now hopes to raise another $1.3 million. This will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Government to create an endowment fund.
The search for a professor to fill the post is under way, and the school hopes to secure someone by August next year.
LESLIE KAY LIM
