“Discussion on sharing Initiatives, Experiences in Implementing Social Work practices and Internships in the context of the impact of Covid-19 epidemic”

On the evening of August 28, 2021, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities - Ton Duc Thang University coordinated with Ho Chi Minh City Social Work Development Advisory Board - Ho Chi Minh City Association for Vocational Education, HCMC Professional Social Work Club, Association of Psychological and Educational Sciences of HCMC, Faculty of Social Work – Ho Chi Minh City College of Economics organized “Discussion on sharing Initiatives, Experiences in Implementing Social Work practices and Internships in the context of the impact of Covid-19 epidemic”.

The discussion took place with the participation of more than 150 delegates who are lecturers of universities, key staff of training institutions, institutions receiving students to practice and practice Social Work in and around the world. The discussion was organized to exchange and absorb initiatives and experiences in implementing social work practices and internships in the context of the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, thereby proposing approaches, models and solutions for implementation and practice creative and appropriate social work.

The discussion had the participation of 6 guest speakers including: Professor. Ngo Van Hieu - University of Calgary, Canada; MSc. Truong Nguyen Xuan Quynh - Boston University, USA; MSc. Ngo Thi Thanh Mai – Hanoi University of Education, Vietnam; MSc. Pham Nguyen Ngoc Nguyen - Singapore Family Service Center; Prof. Edward Cohen - San Joe State University, USA; Mr. Tan Kwan Boon - Singapore Family Service Center and MSc. Nguyen Duc Nam - SHARE Counseling - Psychotherapy Center, Vietnam. The discussion revolved around issues related to practice and internships for students in the social work field at home and abroad, and emphasized the importance of the School, practice facilities, and internships for the internship period of students in the context of the complicated Covid-19 epidemic.

In addition, the delegates participating in the discussion actively discussed and proposed many specific initiatives that can be implemented to practice social work in the future, such as needing to improve the capacity to use equipment, Online tools for students majoring in social work to contribute to supporting students throughout the process of participating in practice, individual social work internships, group social work, community development, etc. At the same time, participating delegates also asked topics include choosing a suitable internship facility, changing the internship and practice environment, devising some plans and response options, and determining the level of risk so that students are ready to face the context of Covid-19context and has practical applicability to the learning environment in Vietnam. Therefore, delegates also agreed that parties involved in social work practice activities in the context of Covid-19, including training facilities, practice facilities and students, need to have flexible thinking and creative ways of working to adapt to today's new circumstances.

The discussion took place successfully and contributed to creating an environment for lecturers and key staff of training institutions and institutions receiving students to practice social work at home and abroad to exchange and learn, take questions and share experiences. From there, units and organizations can apply initiatives into practice, best supporting social work students in the context of the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Some pictures of the discussion: