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P.G. Department of Studies and

Research in Social Work

Karnatak University, Dharwad University With Potential Excellence

Profile

2008-09 to 2013-14

Flagging off a March for Protection of Child Rights– Participation of the Department of Social

Work, KUD, in the Campaign organized by the District Child Protection Unit, Department of

Women and Child Development, GOK.

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Introduction The Post Graduate Department of Studies and Research in Social Work, Karnatak

University, Dharwad, established in the year1962, has an acclaim as the pioneering Department

to impart Post-Graduate Education in Social Work, in the state of Karnataka. Initially it was

started as a part of the Department of Anthropology. Subsequently, it was tagged with the

Department of Sociology, where it was further nourished and nurtured. In June 1973 eventually a

full-fledged status was granted to it. Slowly and steadily the Department has grown in to its size

and expanse. While the student intake is gradually increased from the initial 10 students per year

to 50 students per year in the main campus, proportionate increase is done for the other centers

also. Spatially the department was extended to P.G. Center Gulbarga in early 1970s; P.G.

Centers at Belguam and Haveri in 2005; and to P.G. Center Bijapur in 2006. At one point of

time, besides the parent department on the campus, the course was offered in six other centers

simultaneously, viz., three centers in P.G.Centers of the University and two centers in colleges

affiliated to the university. At present the course is offered in three centers viz., the main

campus, at the K. U. P. G. Center, Haveri, and in an affiliated college at Gadag. Every year more

than 100 trained social work graduates from these centers are contributed to the service field.

Conduct of Voluntary Blood Testing and Blood Donation Camp in collaboration with Blood

Bank, Cancer Hospital, Navanagar and Health Center, K.U. Dharwad.

Over the years, the staff members and the students of the department have carved a niche in the

field, as a number of VOs, NGOs, CBOs, GOs and IOs have been seeking Department’s

Consultancy either in their day-to-day work or for undertaking need based research surveys,

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evaluation studies etc. The department collaboratively organizes various extension activities,

viz., Voluntary Blood Testing and Donation Camps, Free Health Check-Up and Treatment

Camp, Campaigning against Social Evils, Creating Awareness about Crucial Issues by

organizing Signature Campaigns, etc. Such an association has enabled students in learning

practice skills.

The department has been selected as the Sub-Sub-Recipient (SSR) by the Principal Recipient

(PR) Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai for the GFATM-Round Seven Project, for

enhancing Institutional and Counseling Capacities of Counselors’ training component in

HIV/AIDS from April, 2009 onwards till date.

Vision

Providing to the society competent and committed social work practitioners, who would

devote themselves for the causes of promoting social justice and empowerment of all and thus

contribute to the goal of the human race in making this place worth living.

Inauguration of an International Conference on “Changing Faces of Social Work Profession in the

New Millennium” by the Vice-Chancellor of the Karnataka State Law University

Mission

To impart value based scientific and quality education to those desirous of making a

career in the field of Professional Social Work as effective social work leaders, practitioners, and

educators, who envision challenging injustice and promoting an egalitarian/ humane society.

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To synchronize theoretical training with field exposure and enable the students in

acquiring critically assessed knowledge and practice skills of working collaboratively and

therapeutically with people. Besides, facilitate students to develop appropriate attitudes and

attributes requisite for professional social workers to work with their clientele.

To organize Social Work Research, Conferences, Symposia, Seminars, etc., to

disseminate the practice wisdom by involving those in the field of social work in this endeavour

so that the students could develop insights into complex social situations.

Academic Programmes

The department basically offers the Master’s programme in Social Work. This is provided

through four semesters, under the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) mode, with a total of 116

credits. While the theory papers (including the Open Electives) carry 76 credits, the rest 40

credits are given for the Field Work Practicum (32 credits) and the Research Project/Dissertation

(8 credits). The students have the choice of opting open elective paper (8 credits) from across the

faculties.

The Field Work Practicum has been designed in accordance with the guidelines provided by the

Curriculum Development Report of the UGC, incorporating all the components suggested

therein. In the first semester it comprises of Field Work Orientation Lectures, Orientation

(Group) Visits, and a Social Service Camp. The second semester Field Work comprises of

Individual Placement and Summer Placement. The Individual Placement in the field of the

trainee’s choice is continued in the third semester. However, the student trainees are provided

adequate opportunities through field specific orientation lectures and individual counselling at

the beginning of the third semester, so as to enable them to make informed decision/choice of the

field where they wish to train themselves. The Study Tour also forms a part of the third semester

field work practicum. In the fourth semester, besides the continuation of the Individual

Placement, a Four Weeks’ Block Placement forms the part of the field practicum.

The Department also offers Ph.D. Programme in Social Work both for part time and full time

scholars, in almost all the fields of Social Work. There are four recognized research guides who

are permitted to register 8 scholars for Ph.D. programme at any point of time.

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Admission Details

Minimum Eligibility for Admission:

1. Candidates seeking admission to Masters Degree in Social Work shall possess B.S.W. or

B.A. Degree of Karnatak University, Dharwad or any other University recognized as equivalent

there to and having studied cognate subjects such as Sociology, Psychology, Economics,

Anthropology, Political Science, Criminology, Social Work, and/or Home Science. Candidates

possessing B.H.Sc., and B.Sc. in Criminology shall also be eligible to apply. The minimum

percentage of marks to be obtained by the candidates for the eligibility to apply would be as per

the notification issued by the University from time to time.

2. Graduates with a minimum of 3 years field/working experience gained after the

completion of Bachelor’s Degree and deputed by Government/Public Sector, Corporate

Organizations, and NGOs shall be eligible to apply for MSW admission, provided he/she fulfils

the minimum eligibility prescribed under clause 1.

Such of these Sponsored Candidates shall also fulfil following conditions:

a. Sponsoring Institution shall submit its audited accounts and annual reports of 3 years,

immediately preceding the year during which admission is sought;

b. Candidate and the Deputizing Institution shall execute a bond in prescribed format;

c. Sponsoring Institution shall meet out the expenses for the entire course;

d. There shall not be more than two seats for such candidates;

e. The admission for the Sponsored Candidates is provided under the Enhanced Fee (as

determined by the University from time to time) structure only.

3. The Candidates seeking admission to Ph.D. Programme in Social Work should have

completed M.A. in Social Work or MSW from Karnatak University, Dharwad or from any other

University recognized as equivalent there to. The minimum percentage of marks to be obtained

by the candidates for the eligibility to apply would be as per the notification issued by the

University from time to time. There shall be an Entrance Test for Ph.D. Admission, the

candidates who have passed UGC-NET, or SLET/ K-SET and those who have done M.Phil with

Course Work are exempted from the Entrance Test. The admission is given as per the Ph.D.

regulations of the University. However, the availability of Guide/s and the vacancies shall be

notified every academic year by the University to facilitate the aspirants.

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Intake Capacity

The intake capacity for Masters of Social Work in the department on the K. U. Campus is 38 +

2+10 seats. Of these 38 seats, while 25 seats are available under the Normal Fee Structure, the

other 13 seats are available under the Enhanced Fee Structure. Further 2+10 seats

(Supernumerary quota) are available for the sponsored candidates, graduates of other universities

within the state and out side, who fulfil the eligibility criteria mentioned above.

In the total intake fixed, 33 per cent seats shall be allotted to Bachelor of Social Work Graduates

of Karnatak University, Dharwad.

Infrastructure

The department, located in the Main Building of the University-Vidya Soudha, is managing with

available space and infrastructure by utilizing it to the optimum. It has adequate space for the

Office and Independent Chambers with Computers and Internet connection for the Teaching

Staff. The Department is sharing the class rooms in the Ambedkar Bhavan on the campus, since

the intake capacity has been increased in the past few years.

The GFATM Training Hall, which was a class room earlier, is utilized as an auditorium for the

conduct of Co-curricular and Extra-Curricular activities, as it is well equipped with ICT

facilities. This has a seating capacity for 75 to 80 people.

Library

The department heavily depends on the Central Library of the University for library facilities,

wherein there is a large collection of social work related books and journals. In addition, the

department and the GFATM-VII project office also have a small collection of books and reports,

maintained in the department, which are open for access to the students and staff members.

ICT Facilities

The Department has adequate ICT infrastructure. There are nine desk top computers, two LCD

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projectors and two smart boards allotted to the department. Internet connection is provided to the

office and to the chambers of the permanent teaching staff. Besides, each permanent faculty

member has been provided with a lap-top.

Academic Achievements of the Department (for last five years)

The performance of the students

The performance of the students is encouraging. This is vouched by their results of the

semester end examinations. While there are no failures, those who have secured IInd

division are very few. The percentage of those who have secured Ist division has

steadily increased during past five years, from 54.84 per cent in 2009 to 97.30 per cent

in 2013. Further seven students have been awarded Doctoral Degree from 2008-09 to

2013-14.

The research publications also have increased. About forty five research articles of the

teaching faculty members and the research scholars have been published in indexed and

peer reviewed/referred journals, and books.

Research Projects

The faculty members of the department have been catering to the requests of the GOs, NGOs, and other

organizations by undertaking research projects/surveys etc., to help them in their work or for the

evaluation of their work. Accordingly, a few projects undertaken by the faculty members during past five

years, worth mentioning are, Global Fund-Round VII- to fight Tuberculosis, Malaria, and HIV/AIDS, as

Sub-Sub-Recipient under the supervision of Dr. S. R. Mane, the Faculty-In-Charge; A Socio-Economic

Survey of the Project Affected Households/ People along the P.B. Road between Hubli and Dharwad

under the Proposed BRTS Project (A Collaborative Research Project/situational analysis with CEPT

University, Directorate of Urban Land Transport, Department of Urban Development, Government of

Karnataka and NWKRTC, Hubli), under the supervision of Dr. Vineeta B. Pai; and the Situational

Analysis and Child Protection Action Plan for Dharwad District under the supervision of the

then Chairperson of the Department, Dr. S.R.Patil.

Seminars/Workshops and Extension Activities Organized

The Department organizes the intellectual discourses in the form of workshops, seminars,

trainings, conferences and/or the extension activities for the benefit of the student trainees as a

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part of their teaching-learning programme, also cover the educators and the functionaries in the

field. These programmes, which are intended to provide additional curricular and practice skill

in-puts are highly appreciated by these beneficiaries.

These programmes cover various objectives viz., Sensitizing the Educators, the Functionaries,

and the Students about the critical issues needing attention and intervention of Social Workers;

Delivering Services to the needy, through Camps in the Rural and Urban areas, in the fields of

Health, Rural Development, Women and Child Development, Legal Literacy, etc; Developing

Professional Competence of the student trainees by conducting Skill-Development Work

Shops; Arranging an Interface between Students, the Field Work Agencies’ Supervisors, and

the Faculty Members on a common platform, to work out effective strategies for the provision of

practical in-puts to the student trainees; Showcasing the significance of Social Work as a

professional service and work done by the Department in the field of Human Development

etc., through open-house exhibition; Providing Consultancy to GOs, VOs, and NGOs;

Providing forum for Researchers, Academicians, Policy Makers and Implementers, etc., to

come together and share their experiences and Disseminate knowledge to the students through

conferences and seminars; Collaborating with voluntary service agencies and hospitals-blood

banks to organize voluntary blood group testing and blood donation camps;

A session on Social Work in Industries during the Field Work Agencies’ Superviors’ Conference

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Inauguration of the Two days’ Training Programme for FCC Counsellors and Office Bearers by

the Vice-Chancellor of K.U.Dharwad, Dr. H. B. Walikar

Organizing Campaigns against Social Evils and Creating Awareness among the general

masses either independently during the field work / social work camps and/or collaborating with

the local GOS, NGOs in their initiatives to fight against the Social Evils; etc.

The Registrar of K. U. Dharwad, signing a hoarding during the Signature Campaign organised in

collaboration with the Dharwad-FPAI Branch, for creating awareness about the Sexual and

Reproductive Rights among the Youth.

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A campaign organised during Social Work Camp, for creating awareness about

Social Evils among the Rural Masses

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Best Practices

The Department provides additional in-puts for the professional growth and personality

development of students by organizing various co-curricular activities viz., Professional Skills

Training, Work-Shops on PRA and Micro-Planning in the Community Setting, English

Language Improvement Programme, Field Work Agency Supervisors Conference, etc.

A non threatening-student friendly atmosphere is maintained in the Department, which motivates

the trainees to interact freely with the faculty while learning and acquiring the requisite skills of

Social Work.

Besides, the students of the Department are encouraged to participate and attend State level and

National level conferences organized by various other Schools of Social Work and Departments

of Social Work, so that they get an opportunity to interact and share their experiences with their

professional fraternity. They have also prepared and presented Projects which have fetched them

prizes and appreciation at the state and national levels.

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The members of the staff and the students are encouraged to associate with the GOs, NGOs, etc.,

by being office bears/members of their executive and/or other committees and thereby create

visibility to the department in specific and the profession of Social Work in general.

Students’ counseling is a unique feature of the Department, where students are enabled to make

informed decisions about their life-be it their career choice or their personal life.

Among the Social Sciences departments, it was this Department which was first to introduce a

dress code for the students.

Alumni Association

An Association of the Alumni of the Department named as ‘Prerana’ was formed in 2004.

Initially there were 20 members. Now the membership has risen to around 200 members. The

alumni support the department in various ways, such as, Field Work Placements / Block

Placements, Placement of the students in Employment, Conduct of Conferences, Training

Programmes, Workshops, providing Orientation and Guidance to the students in carrying on

different components of their practicum assignments, etc.

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The members of the Alumni interacting with the students of the department during the

Summer Placement Orientation Programme

Future plans of the Department

The Department has submitted proposal to introduce one year P.G. Diploma Course in

Psycho-Social Rehabilitation.

The Department is planning to start an Extension Programme and Training Cell (EPTC)

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in specialized areas viz., Women and Children Development/Empowerment and Health.

Faculty Profile

Dr. Vineeta B. Pai MA (SW), Ph.D.

Professor and Chairperson

Years of Service: 34 Years

Areas of Interest: Social Work-Gender Studies, Gerontology, HRM, etc.

Papers Published: 12 (between 2008 -2014).

Ph. Ds awarded: 02 (between 2008 -2014).

Any recognition: Was nominated as a member on the Karnataka State

Council for Science and Technology, Government of

Karnataka;

Chief Editor, Career Review Bulletin, UEIGB, K.U.D.,

Aug, 2008 to Aug 2011;

Member of the Editorial Board of the National Journal of

Professional Social Work, Published by Indian Society of

Professional Social Work.

E-Mail ID: vbpai1122@gmail.com

Dr. Shobhadevi R. Patil, M.A ( SW), DPSW, Ph.D

Professor

Years of Service: 34 years

Areas of Interest: Medical & Psychiatric Social Work & Women and Child

Issues

Papers Published : 10

Ph. Ds awarded: 04 (between 2008 -2014)

Any recognition: Appointed by Govt. of Karnataka as Non Official Member

of State Mental Health Authority, Bengaluru since

May – 2013 for a period of 3 years

E-Mail ID: shobhadevi2@rediffmail.com

Dr. S.Y. Swadi, M.A (SW), , Ph.D

Associate Professor

Years of Service: 21 years

Areas of Interest: Human Resource Management, Community

Development and Family Welfare

Papers Published: 07

Any recognition: Master Trainer & Supportive Supervisor for GFATM R-7 Project

E-Mail ID: syswadi@gmail.com

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Dr. Sangeetha R. Mane, M. A. (SW), , Ph.D

Associate Professor

Years of Service: 12 years

Areas of Interest: Social Work Generic

Papers Published: 15

Any recognition: Faculty-In-Charge, Master Trainer and

Supportive Supervisor for GFATM R-VII Project

E-Mail sangeethamane@gmail.com

Mr. M. Ravindra, MSW; NET,

Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest: Health and Counselling; Correctional Social Work

Papers Published: 10

E-Mail Id: ravindramsw@gmail.com

Any recognition: Master Trainer and

Supportive Supervisor for GFATM R-VII Project

Dr. Renuka E. Asagi, MSW; Ph.D.,

Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest: Women Development

Papers Published: 08

Email Id: renureshmi@gmail.com

Academic Achievements: Qualified UGC-NET in 2011

Qualified KSET in 2011