"Social Work Practice Training: International Experience and Vietnamese Reality"

Attend the workshop,

- On the side of Vietnamese state agencies, there were Mr. Duong Van Ba ​​(Department of Student Affairs - Ministry of Education and Training), Dr. Nguyen Van Hoi (Department of Social Protection, Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs).

- On the side of international guests, there were Mr. Étienne Rolland-Piègue (Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities, Embassy of France in Vietnam); Prof. Dr. Tan Ngoh Tiong (National University of Social Sciences, Singapore); Dr. Culas Christian (French National Center for Scientific Research);

- On behalf of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, there were Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Thanh Nam (Head of Training Department).

In 2010, the Prime Minister approved the Project on Developing the Social Work Profession (CSW) for the period 2011-2020, aiming at the goal of professionalizing CSW activities. Assigned by the Government to manage the Project, the Department of Social Protection (Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs) has provided guidance and support for training in general and practical training in particular in Vietnam, including the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU.

There have been many seminars and many models proposed in the past. However, the results still show the ineffectiveness in social work practice training activities in many schools, institutes and centers nationwide. This negatively affects the quality of student training as well as the quality of social work human resources in the future.

Therefore, the International Scientific Conference "Social Work Practice Training: International Experience and Vietnamese Reality" was organized to discuss issues such as practical training policies in Vietnam, the current status of social work practice training in Vietnam, training models and social work practice experiences in some typical countries in the world. Thereby, the conference proposed solutions to improve efficiency; build networks and cooperation mechanisms between social work practice training institutions nationwide.

On behalf of the Department of Social Protection, Dr. Nguyen Van Hoi affirmed the remarkable development of social work since March 25, 2010, when the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 32 on the development of this sector. The Government also issued Decree 103 on standardizing the system of social work service providers. Thanks to that, the number of staff in the social work sector is currently estimated at 200,000 people, of which 30-40% are professional staff. There are 80 educational institutions with social work training programs; the enrollment target of this sector is up to tens of millions of students. In addition, in January 2019, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs will submit to the Government and the National Assembly for consideration the Draft Law on Social Work, aiming to codify social work activities in education, health, security and national defense.

Dr. Nguyen Van Hoi delivered the opening speech at the workshop.

However, according to Dr. Nguyen Van Hoi, the current practice of social work has not kept pace with the rapid development of mechanisms and policies. The distinction and coordination between training institutions and social work practice are not yet smooth. Meanwhile, in the training programs of universities around the world such as in the US, Australia, and the UK; practice always accounts for 50% of the training standards. Therefore, this workshop is the first step for stakeholders to discuss and contribute ideas for the roadmap to perfect practical training, thereby changing and improving the quality of the social work industry in the coming time.

On behalf of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh emphasized the importance of social work in social sciences and humanities. Over the past 10 years, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities has been one of the leading institutions in training this field. On the other hand, the Rector also stated that the biggest limitation of the University at present is that it mainly focuses on theoretical and macro issues; leaving gaps in professional practice.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh delivered the opening speech at the conference.

Therefore, this workshop is an opportunity for the School to find solutions to harmoniously combine basic theoretical research and skills training for social work students. The Principal also hopes that larger workshops will be held at the national level, so that stakeholders can exchange and unify social work practice training programs. Such events also help connect businesses, local agencies with training institutions to form a network to support students' practice.

Delegates at the conference took a souvenir photo

After the opening session, the conference listened to 8 presentations:

• "A few general features of training human resources for social work today and some recommendations" by Mr. Duong Van Ba ​​(Department of Student Affairs, Ministry of Education and Training)

• "Social Work Practice Training in Vietnam Today" by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa (Faculty of Sociology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities)

• "Supervision work at practice and internship facilities of social work students" by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hoi Loan (Faculty of Sociology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities)

• "The Future of Social Work: Perspectives from Asia" by Prof. Dr. Tan Ngoh Tiong (National University of Social Sciences, Singapore)

• "Social Work Practice Training: Current Situation, Challenges and Suggestions from International Experience" by Dr. Nguyen Thi Thai Lan (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) and Master. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong (University of Labor and Social Affairs)

• "Contributions of Social Sciences to Community Development Projects in Vietnam" by Dr. Culas Christian (French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS))

• "Social Work Practice Experience at the National Children's Hospital" by Master, Doctor Duong Minh Thu (National Children's Hospital)

• "Theoretical conditions for balancing Human, Society and Living Environment through analysis of the concept of 'health' of the World Health Organization - The level of contribution of some social sciences and humanities in training social work practice" by Associate Professor, Dr. Trinh Van Tung, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai (Faculty of Sociology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities), Dr. Bui Van Tuan (Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Sciences, VNU)