DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK Assam Don Bosco University 2017-2018

Departmental Profile

The contemporary social realities call for services and action for social change in the area of social development, welfare and crisis intervention that require professionally qualified human power, with specialized knowledge and skills. The effectiveness of social initiatives for development, social welfare, social action, and to begin a process of change through enabling the vulnerable sections of the society to participate fully in the overall development of the country is, thus, linked with the quality of human power employed in the development and welfare institutions, both governmental and non-governmental, and also in the people-oriented community-based social movements and services.

It is in this context, and in order to upgrade and enhance the quality of professional education and practice that the Department of Social Work (DSW) was established within the University, under the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The DSW soon launched the Master of Social Work (MSW), a full time two-year residential post-graduate programme, and a Research programme leading to Ph.D. on 23rd August 2011, with the aim of training students to plan and execute an extensive range of social services and social welfare activities in order to bring about a social change. An innovative blend of theory, fieldwork and research is designed to provide the students with a variety of skills to enable them to be active practitioners and academics.

The focus of the ADBU Social Work programme is to foster among the students a sense of social commitment by providing them professional training and enabling them to address the needs of the marginalized sections of the society. The course curriculum is so designed that it facilitates and moulds the overall personality development of the students to take up challenges and career opportunities of this demanding and dynamic profession. It is the mandate of DSW to focus on issues pertaining to the Region of North East India.

Mission

The Social Work Department of Assam Don Bosco University seeks to:

• Achieve excellence in teaching, learning, research, practice and extension activities
• Promote critical thinking and innovative intervention in response to societal and environmental problems
• Mould professionally competent individuals who are sensitive and committed to the values and ethics of social work
• Create and foster an environment of justice and respect for all by promoting social consciousness, courage of conviction and appreciation for diversity

Milestones

The MSW programme was flagged off on the 23rd of August, 2011 by Archbishop Thomas Menamperampel, SDB, in the presence of Fr. (Dr.) Stephen Mavely, Vice-Chancellor, faculty, staff and students of the ADBU. It marked a new beginning for the University as it set its foot in the social sciences education. This four-semester post-graduate programme in social work, approved under section 2f of the UGC Act (Ref. F. No.8-13/2009[CPP-I] dated 13 November 2009), has not only drawn students from all over the eight northeastern states but also continues to attract academicians and practitioners from all over the country and abroad.

Scaling up the activities and academic reaches of the Department, several conference, seminars and workshops have been organized since its inception. 3 batches of the Social Work students have graduated from the University and are all placed in various NGO’s, Universities, Government Agencies etc across the country.

The Department has organized the following Workshops:

• Workshop on Participatory Approach in Development.
• Workshop on Research Methodology and Statistical Analysis
• Orientation on role of youth in Red Ribbon Club (RRC) by Assam AIDS Control Society.
• Workshop on Social Media Application for Social Work in Assam Don Bosco University
• Workshop on Development Communications
• Orientation on UGC – JRF/NET
• Seminar on Politics of Local Governance in Northeast India
• Workshop on Management of Cooperative Societies.
• Fundraising Event for Swastyan Project
• Workshop on Social Advocacy and Action
• Seminar on Challenges of Healthcare for Women and Children in Northeast India.
• Workshop on Project Cycle Management
• Workshop on Social Analysis
• Workshop on Result Based Management

List of Faculty Members:

1. Dr. Riju Sharma -Associate Professor
2. Dr. Lukose PJ -HoD & Associate Professor
3. Jacob Islary -Assistant Professor
4. Victor Narzary -Assistant Professor
5. Shanthalembi Lisham -Assistant Professor
6. Fr. Johnson KP Pathrose -Assistant Professor
7. PT Dominic -Assistant Professor
8. Ainamlin Dkhar -Assistant Professor
9. Joby Mani -Assistant Professor
10. Jerry Thomas -Professor (Adjunct)
11. Dr. Dev Manti -Professor (Adjunct)
12. Dr. Rajendra Prasad Attaparia -Professor (Adjunct)
13. Pranjit Hazarika -Associate Professor (Adjunct)
14. Melvil Pereira -Associate Professor (Adjunct)
15. Luke Daimary -Associate Professor (Adjunct)
16. KS Jose -Assistant Professor (Adjunct)
17. Dr. Priya Treesa Thomas -Assistant Professor (Adjunct)

More Sayings from the Great Master of Youth – Saint John Bosco

BYTOM PERNA

1. “I will take no unnecessary walks. I will make exactingly careful use of my time.

When the salvation of souls is at stake I will always be ready to act, to suffer, and to humble myself. May the charity and gentleness of St. Francis de Sales inform my every action.I will always be content with the food set before me unless it is really harmful to my health.

I will always add water to my wine and drink it only for reasons of health. Since work is powerful weapon against the enemies of my salvation I will take only five hours sleep a night. During the day, especially after dinner, I will take no rest, except in case of illness.

Every day I will devote some time to meditation and spiritual reading. During the day I will make a short visit, or at least a prayer, to the Blessed Sacrament. My preparation for Mass shall last at least a quarter of an hour and so shall my thanksgiving.

Outside the confessional and save in cases of strict necessity I will never stop to talk to women” [one large quote broken down into smaller paragraphs to read].

2. “I have promised God that until my last breath I shall have lived for my poor young people. I study for you, I work for you, I am also ready to give my life for you. Take note that whatever I am, I have been so entirely for you, day and night, morning and evening, at every moment.”

3. “In my long experience very often I had to be convinced of this great truth; that it is easier to become angry than to restrain oneself and easier to threaten a boy than to persuade him. Yes, it is more fitting to be persistent in punishing our own impatience and pride than to correct the boys. We must be firm but kind, and be patient with them.”

4. “You should bear patiently the bad temper of other people, the slights, the rudeness that may be offered you.”

5. “Never read books you aren’t sure about…even supposing that these books are very well written from a literary point of view. Let me ask you this: Would you drink something you knew was poisoned just because it was offered to you in a golden cup?”

6. “A saint was once asked, while playing happily with his companions, what he would do if an angel told him that in a quarter of an hour he would die and have to appear before the judgment seat of God. The saint promptly replied that he would continue playing because I am certain these games are pleasing to God.”

If you are not familiar with the life of Saint John Bosco, affectionately known to many as Don Bosco, I would encourage you to read the book, Saint John Bosco; A Friend of Youth by F. A. Forbes.

He had a great devotion, like many saints before and after him, to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His particular devotion was to Our Lady, Help of Christians.

If you are in the field of education or a catechist at a parish and working with children from kindergarten to high school, I would encourage you to read, The Educational Philosophy of St. John Bosco. It was a book that completely revolutionized my approach when I was a high school theology teacher.

Saint John Bosco…Pray for Us

The season of Lent is a favourable time to remedy the dissonant chords of our Christian life

The season of Lent is a favourable time to remedy the dissonant chords of our Christian life and to receive the ever new, joyful and hope-filled proclamation of the Lord’s Passover. The Church in her maternal wisdom invites us to pay special attention to anything that could dampen or even corrode our believing heart.

We are subject to numerous temptations. Each of us knows the difficulties we have to face. And it is sad to note that, when faced with the ever-varying circumstances of our daily lives, there are voices raised that take advantage of pain and uncertainty; the only thing they aim to do is sow distrust. If the fruit of faith is charity – as Mother Teresa often used to say – then the fruit of

distrust is apathy and resignation. Distrust, apathy and resignation: these are demons that deaden and paralyze the soul of a believing people.

Lent is the ideal time to unmask these and other temptations, to allow our hearts to beat once more in tune with the vibrant heart of Jesus. The whole of the Lenten season is imbued with this conviction, which we could say is echoed by three words offered to us in order to rekindle the heart of the believer: pause, see and return.

Pause a little, leave behind the unrest and commotion that fill the soul with bitter feelings which never get us anywhere. Pause from this compulsion to a fast-paced life that scatters, divides and ultimately destroys time with family, with friends, with children, with grandparents, and time as a gift… time with God.

Pause for a little while, refrain from the need to show off and be seen by all, to continually appear on the “noticeboard” that makes us forget the value of intimacy and recollection.

Pause for a little while, refrain from haughty looks, from fleeting and pejorative comments that arise from forgetting tenderness, compassion and reverence for the encounter with others, particularly those who are vulnerable, hurt and even immersed in sin and error.

Pause for a little while, refrain from the urge to want to control everything, know everything, destroy everything; this comes from overlooking gratitude for the gift of life and all the good we receive.

Pause for a little while, refrain from the deafening noise that weakens and confuses our hearing, that makes us forget the fruitful and creative power of silence.

Pause for a little while, refrain from the attitude which promotes sterile and unproductive thoughts that arise from isolation and self-pity, and that cause us to forget going out to encounter others to share their burdens and suffering.

Pause for a little while, refrain from the emptiness of everything that is instantaneous, momentary and fleeting, that deprives us of our roots, our ties, of the value of continuity and the awareness of our ongoing journey.

Pause in order to look and contemplate!

See the gestures that prevent the extinguishing of charity, that keep the flame of faith and hope alive. Look at faces alive with God’s tenderness and goodness working in our midst.

See the face of our families who continue striving, day by day, with great effort, in order to move forward in life, and who, despite many concerns and much hardship, are committed to making their homes a school of love.

See the faces of our children and young people filled with yearning for the future and hope, filled with “tomorrows” and opportunities that demand dedication and protection. Living shoots of love and life that always open up a path in the midst of our selfish and meagre calculations.

See our elderly whose faces are marked by the passage of time, faces that reveal the living memory of our people. Faces that reflect God’s wisdom at work.

See the faces of our sick people and the many who take care of them; faces which in their vulnerability and service remind us that the value of each person can never be reduced to a question of calculation or utility.

See the remorseful faces of so many who try to repair their errors and mistakes, and who from their misfortune and suffering fight to transform their situations and move forward.

See and contemplate the face of Crucified Love, who today from the cross continues to bring us hope, his hand held out to those who feel crucified, who experience in their lives the burden of failure, disappointment and heartbreak.

See and contemplate the real face of Christ crucified out of love for everyone, without exception. For everyone? Yes, for everyone. To see his face is an invitation filled with hope for this Lenten time, in order to defeat the demons of distrust, apathy and resignation. The face that invites us to cry out: “The Kingdom of God is possible!”.

Pause, see and return. Return to the house of your Father. Return without fear to those outstretched, eager arms of your Father, who is rich in mercy (cf. Eph 2:4), who awaits you.

Return without fear, for this is the favourable time to come home, to the home of my Father and your Father (cf. Jn 20:17). It is the time for allowing one’s heart to be touched… Persisting on the path of evil only gives rise to disappointment and sadness. True life is something quite distinct and our heart indeed knows this. God does not tire, nor will he tire, of holding out his hand (cf. Misericordiae Vultus, 19).

Return without fear, to join in the celebration of those who are forgiven.

Return without fear, to experience the healing and reconciling tenderness of God. Let the Lord heal the wounds of sin and fulfil the prophecy made to our fathers: “A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezek 36: 26).

Pause, see and return!