To document experiences of student and faculty exchange programmes
An open access international online journal for documenting experiences and reflections of social work students, faculty and research scholars around the globe was launched by the department of social work, Bharathidasan University on Thursday.
The international journal is a collaborative initiative by the social work department at the varsity here and its counterpart at James Cook University, Australia. The idea for the project took root during a three month visit to James Cook University by P. Ilango, head of the social work department of the Bharathidasan University.
Launching the international online journal, ‘Collaborations in International Social Work Education’, K.Meena, Vice Chancellor, Bharathidasan University, underlined the need to document experiences and reflections gained during student and faculty exchange programmes. Hailing the department’s initiative as a first in the university, she heralded the project as a sign of further international linkages and collaborations. The department must work towards emerging as a separate school with multiple specializations, she added.
Continuous publication
The journal has been conceived as a continuous online publication instead of a periodical and would try to minimise time between submission of manuscripts and publication, said Peter Jones, head, Social Work and Human Sciences, James Cook University.
He hoped the project would engage students in social issues in an international context. Both universities would work to ensure the collaboration has mutual benefits for both partners and paves way for future cooperation.
In an age of globalisation, Mr. Ilango felt there was need for international collaboration in the social work sphere to share perspectives on social issues in different countries. The journal is an initial step in strengthening partnership between both universities that are keen to sign an MoU soon. A section for students will help them document experiences and reflections. The articles will undergo a peer review process to ensure quality of writing.
The online journal was launched at a two-day workshop on ‘International Social Work- experiences, reflections and future perspectives’ that brought together students and faculty from India, Australia and Sweden. The workshop is intended to let delegates reflect critically on performances.
Debra Miles, deputy head of school, James Cook University, Australia, and D.Nirmala, organising secretary, spoke. The journal invites contributions from social work academicians and students worldwide and can be accessed at ciswe.jcu.edu.au.