MUMBAI: With increasing interest of business houses in activities of corporate social responsibility (CSR), the committee working on updating syllabi in Mumbai University is proposing a revamp in the traditional social work curriculum.
Institutes offering undergraduate courses in social work may soon see a more market-friendly syllabus.
In a move to meet the demand from the market and practice areas, College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, is planning to include several changes in the course and then propose it to the
university.
“One of our professors is in the Mumbai University’s committee for updating syllabus and reviewing it. Once we come up with a concept note on the changes needed in the current syllabus, we will propose it to the university. The university anyway keeps updating curriculum after every three years,” said Farida Lambay, vice-principal of the college.
“Corporates are increasingly taking note of CSR activities. They have started realising the fact that their responsibility does not end at just donating money for a cause. Taking up a social cause is almost a mandate for them now. Since we are in the teaching field, we have to equip our students with the latest knowledge and demands of the profession,” said Lambay.
The placement cell of the college which is in touch with the industry would put in detail the specific needs of the industry and government bodies – be it social welfare departments or disaster management cells – and forward it to the authorities.
The college alumni who are working with corporates and government departments in the same area, will also be helping the institute in forming a fresh curriculum based on the needs of the industry.
Lambay said that organisations need trained professionals for working in crisis situations. “Our students need to know how to conduct social audits, measure profits, dealing with the marginalised groups, etc. There are other specialised areas that we will introduce as add-on courses. We also plan to train different stakeholders, government functionaries, etc,” she said.
(Sourced from DNA)
