Georgetown: Discussions were today held on how the Social Work Programme and possibly the Sociology Programme of the University of Guyana (UG) can become more relevant to the work of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
The talks were held at a meeting with Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Deputy Permanent Secretary Anjanie Ramlall, Senior UG Lecturer and Sociologist Andrew Hicks, and Coordinator of Post-Graduate Studies in the Department of Sociology Debbie Hopkinson.
“We want them to look at areas that are not captured by the current programme so that when someone graduates from UG with the degrees, they can fill some of the existing specialized gaps with regard to children and elderly, among others,” Minister Persaud explained.
In looking at a review of the programme, the University wants to see how it can still include a practical component at the Ministry in spite of the COVID-19 restrictions.
A major focus of the meeting today, at the Ministry’s East and Lamaha Streets location, also had to do with the licensing of social workers.
The meeting was very fruitful at laying the groundwork for the current Masters and Diploma Programmes to be updated so that they can be more applicable to the social work that is required by the Ministry.
The possibility was explored as to how UG can do a social work certificate programme as part of Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) which can lead to an associate degree and then into the programmes proper.
While the UG representatives are working to change the curriculum to capture more restorative justice for youth and women, Minister Persaud proposed stress and anger management, family therapy, counselling, case report writing, elder and child abuse.
The University has also undertaken to provide training to social workers who are currently in the system and may need to update their knowledge in the field.
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