Bhubaneswar: The work of the Task-Force on education is in the  final stage and the Government is seriously considering to give adequate space to the social work education in it,said Mr Devi Prasad  Mishra,Minister, Higher Education, Govt.of Orissa.

Informing this while inaugurating a  day-long National seminar on ‘Importance of Field Work Practicum in social Work Education in India Today” organized by Vivekananda Institute of Social Work and Social Science (VISWASS), at Institutions of Engineers he said as tools, technique and patterns of education have changed under new global perspectives, scholars are required to study properly the importance of field work practicum in social work education. That is why; said Mr Mishra there is disconnect between theory and practice, and need is to present our younger generation with some thing which defines field work practicum in a broader way.

 Mr Mishra advocated the need for a Government-Private partnership approach to study Social Work and said this will help to put our social worker nicely before the international demand.  Saying that  text book knowledge is not enough in modern day world he said, we need to work among people to understand them.Appreciating the efforts of VISWASS in organising this types of seminar he said the government will honour the outcome of the seminars.

In his keynote address noted educationist Prof S.R.Billore said field work practicum of the social work from ancient times to the present is a continuous struggle for change and continuity.  He said  the  continuity and change are essential for any political, social and religious organism.

Prof Billore said  that whatever the nature of field, it must be free to change, otherwise it will stagnate, decay and die. He said scholars in this subject   are expected to address such issues and problems concerning the dynamics of the subject, shifting models and requirements.

The seminar was attended by galaxy of scholars from different parts of the country including Dr. Farida Lambay,Dr.P.K.Ghosh,Dr. Ranjana Sehgal, Dr.R.D.Sampath, Dr.Vijay Raghavan and Dr Anup Das.

Welcoming the Guest Principal VISWASS Dr.M.B.Rao suggested to create space for a critical re-evaluation and re-assessment of the field work practicum on social work developed till date.

Dr. Rao added that to create an environment for the interaction between local intelligentsia and the scholars and intellects at the national and international level is one of the main aims of VISWASS. Mr.I.B.Rao, Head of the Department of Social Work and the secretary of organising committee of the seminar presented a report of  the institute.