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In this article, we offer a perspective on the re-emergence of social work in China from the viewpoint of a longstanding and very productive partnership between Chinese and U.S. social work educato...

Social work education, first introduced to the Chinese mainland in the 1920s, was eliminated from all universities in the early 1950s, but was restored to higher education institutions to respond t...

Written by former officers of the International Association of Schools of Social Work (President and Secretary/Vice-President, respectively) and using the IASSW as a case study, the chapter explores the transformative role of international organizations in shaping social work education worldwide. After first summarizing the key components of transformational leadership, the chapter illustrates these with examples of the initiatives that leaders of IASSW have implemented during the past 90 years to transform and develop professional education. The initiatives, touching countries in every region of the world, include advocacy, capacity building, standard setting, and promotion of international research and exchange. The chapter concludes with discussion of the challenges and unrealized potential of IASSW and strategies to further enhance the organization’s transformational leadership in the future.

The relationship between higher education (HE) and the wider society is dynamic but poorly understood. This chapter aims to provide a brief historical account of the development of higher education. In particular, multiple roles and functions are identified to highlight the dynamic interplay between higher education and the societal need and development. Then we examine the changing nature of higher education and the globalization challenges facing contemporary higher education. Drawing on the historical roots of higher education, we summarize key insights based on the current review and propose how the university can maintain its intellectual endeavors while fulfilling its social mission.

Higher Education is facing rapid and enormous change, one of which is the corporatization of higher education. Given the market-driven nature of university education, a natural and reasonable concern is its social responsibility towards the community it serves, particularly when corporate social responsibility is the normative expectation of contemporary organizations by the general public. This is also an intrinsic mission of the university. This chapter aims to outline the importance of University Social Responsibility (USR) and the emergence of such an initiative entitled University Social Responsibility Network (USRN) initiated by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In particular, we pay close attention to the network development of the collective effort, in contrast to the endeavor of a single institution. The rationale, mission, organizational structure and strategy of USRN, as well as the strengths and challenges of this partnership approach, will also be discussed particularly drawing on the lessons learned from other similar and related initiatives. Ideas for the future development of the USRN are also discussed.

In view of the many complex global issues, there is a call to re-think higher education institutions’ relationship with society and their role in improving global quality of life. Universities are now challenged to focus not only on individual institution’s interest, prestige and graduate employment prospects, but also to be socially relevant and responsible by addressing societal needs, both locally and globally. This chapter aims to present and showcase how The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been moving with the times and fulfilling its social responsibilities while coping with the social and economic changes in Hong Kong and the region.

Social work, first introduced to China in the 1920s, was eliminated as an academic discipline and profession in the early 1950s, and restored in the late 1980s to respond to a growing demand for social workers to resolve escalating social problems triggered by the open-door economic policy. In 2006, the Chinese government announced the formation of strong social work teams to develop a harmonious society, an initiative reinforced by national policies and plans supporting the profession's development countrywide. The authors highlight the evolution of social work post-1920: the background and events surrounding its reemergence; challenges; opportunities; and prospects for future development.