Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 11: School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, here will organise 'Spandana -2019 Responding to Realities', a national level Student Social Workers’ conference on the theme 'Revisiting and Contextualising Social Work Profession in contemporary India' on February 14 and 15.
‘Spandana’ is a platform for the convergence of student Social Workers to share thoughts, ideas and knowledge and to work together for serving society in a better way. The need for a platform for interaction among students was actuated during the year 2002 and the result is Spandana-Responding to Realities, an annual conference for student social workers. The success of the event motivated the college and Spandana is the most awaited annual feature.
The theme, 'Revisiting and Contextualising Social Work Profession in contemporary India' is the need of the hour as effective practice of the profession requires contextualising it as per the changing times. This conference aims to explore some of the existing knowledge and theories of professional social work and how these notions relate to the difficulties encountered in contemporary social work practice. It also deliberates the knowledge framework that is conceptualized in terms of three important features such as theoretical knowledge, factual knowledge (including research) and practical knowledge.
Prof Y S Siddegowda vice chancellor, Tumkur University will be the chief guest for the inaugural function of Spandana -2019 on February 14, at 10.00 am. Prof Juliet C J, principal, School of Social work, Roshni Nilaya, will preside over the inaugural function. The inaugural function will be followed by the keynote address by Dr P Ilango, dean, faculty of Arts & Syndicate member, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli on the topic ‘upcoming trends in social work’.
The following renowned speakers are lined up to discuss and deliberate on the theme and sub themes of the conference:
• Dr B Nalini, assistant professor, dept of Social Work, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore - case work – success stories, problems and conceptual improvement
• Dr Mouleshri Vyas, professor, Centre for Community Organization and Development Practice School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai - Community Organization Practice
• Teddy Andrews, assistant professor, Social Work Programme, Manipal University - Evidence generation in Social Work Research: Challenges and Opportunities from a Quantitative Perspective
• Dr John Johnson, former associate dean of Social Work, Marian College, Kerala - Working with Family as a method of Social Work
• Dr Ashok Antony D’Souza, professor and chairman, PG Department of Social Work Rani Channamma University, Vidyasangama, Belgavi - social action in India: Roots, Fruits and shoots
Students/ Academicians and professionals from different states and international universities will participate in the conference.
The cultural programmes will be held on February 14 at 5.00 pm at the college auditorium.
The valedictory of the meet will be held on February 15 at 3.30 pm. Smitha Sathish, co-founder, Rang De, Bengaluru will be the chief guest. Dr P Jenis Mary, vice principal, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, will preside. Scientific paper presentations are also scheduled for the participants on the following themes:
• Research focusing on any of the methods of Social Work
• Family-centered Social Work (casework/group work)
• The indigenous perspective of Social Work
• Innovative pedagogy of learning and development in Social Work.
• The paradox of technology vs person-centered education
• Changing social values and community interventions
• Sustainable development in the context of socio-economic fabric of India
• Contemporary perspective in social group work