Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 1) | Page 7

Social Work Scene in Singapore: From its Beginnings till Present

of Community Development in Aug 1998 when he launched a Ministry’s email
grouping called the Social Work Link which was to galvanise social workers
and staff holding social work posts to promote interest in the profession.
In his speech, he focused on a few areas that raised the specialist work to
a standing equivalent of what the public would see as a profession. These
include understanding of what social work can do, recognition of social work
and social workers and the building up of knowledge to deliver better services
to citizens.
In his opening remarks, he said “Today’s gathering is small, but significant, as
you are meeting together for the first time as a corporate group of professionals
with a distinct identity in the Ministry. Your work is demanding and affects
the lives of individuals and families directly. This heavy responsibility should
challenge you to attain a high standard of professionalism in the field - to
tread where it is most difficult and challenging.”
He then went on to take the opportunity to highlight a few measures to
increase the standing of social workers in Singapore. These included:

Post grad diploma course in Social Work
From a part time post graduate diploma programme of about 20 students,
more than 100 have attained the post graduate diploma and a few have gone
further into the Masters Program. Today, we have many social workers with
Masters degree and from a wide range of reputable Universities. We have
today, a group of local PhDs who contribute to the building of social work
knowledge and thought leadership.

President’s tea at the Istana
At the same event, PS also announced that the President of Singapore will be
hosting a tea session for social work professionals at the Istana grounds for
the first time on 18 Sep 1998.

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