DI marks International Social Work Day

The Social Work Programme at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) organised the Social Work Forum on Sunday to mark the International Day of Social Work. It was held in the presence of a number of partner training institutions, students and graduates of the programme. The forum was introduced by student Dalal al-Mulla, then Dr Basil Salloukh, Associate Dean of the College of Social and Human Sciences, gave a welcome speech and praised the efforts of social institutions in their effective partnership that provides substantial training spaces for the students of the programme, hoping that a national day will be organised for social work.It was followed by a welcome speech given by the head of the Social Work Programme, Dr Hamoud al-Aleimiyat, who focused on the importance of the professional intervention carried out by specialists in social work wherever they are during crises, disasters and wars, and in developing social policies and societies.Brigadier General Dr Ibrahim al-Samih, Director of the Community Police Department, took the floor and promoted the value of specialising in social work. Especially at the level of postgraduate studies provided by the DI. Highlighting the importance of social work in various fields, whether in raising awareness, intervention or rehabilitation. He proposed his unique experience in the educational field since his professional beginnings in schools, universities and even in mosques.Sheikh Ahmed al-Buainain, Director of the Office of Family Reconciliation, delivered a paper titled 'Social Work in the Judiciary: A Pioneering Experience'. He focused on the role of social work in the Office of Family Reconciliation and Foster Affairs, and commended the efforts of the trainees from the Social Work Program who proved their worth among Family Reconciliation Office halls in the Family Court.Then, the students of the second year of the social work program presented their experience: "Our Students on the Platform: Experiences Inspired by Training Outside the State of Qatar." They described it as a pioneering practice in the field of training, which went beyond the local sphere to the Arab and regional one through the vocational training programme in Jordan. It gave them the opportunity to identify new problems that enriched their knowledge and skills as the students had to test the methods they learned in the classroom on real cases. The graduate students also presented their experience: "Brilliant Graduates: Voices from the Field." They talked about the academic, professional knowledge, and experiences that the Institute provided them with, which they used to serve their communities. The most prominent of which was the leadership in research management and impact measurement in Qatar Foundation for Social Work, the Community Police, and the Qatari Red Crescent Society, and the Family Court.The forum concluded with congratulating the social workers on this day, a tour of the presentations of services and goals of field contribution of partner institutions highlighting the importance of the specialist's role in social work.