School of Social Work 75th Anniversary: Sharing the Gifts of Social Work Education in Africa
January 16, 2025 at 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
| Location: | Virtual |
| Cost: | Free |
Social work as a profession has the tools necessary to support and bring together not just communities but nations due to its ability to recognize and meet the needs of the people. The profession is relatively new to African countries, including Somaliland. We began our collaborative project in mid-2000, believing that social work in Somaliland can foster growth and nationwide capacity building. It included the development of a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program that began in 2008 and a soon-to-be-open Master of Social Work (MSW) program. This new master’s degree will train graduate students in research, mental health, and social policy development.
Join us on Thursday, January 16th for a panel discussion of the history of Carleton University’s School of Social Work, the development of the University of Hargeisa’s BSW and upcoming MSW programs, and the contributions of both schools to their respective communities.
Panelists
Mr. Mukhtar Abby is an accomplished academic professional holding a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (PGDHRM), a Master of Social Work (MSW), and a Master of Arts in Political Sciences. Currently serving as the Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Hargeisa, Mr. Abby imparts knowledge in community organization and Social Work Practicum courses. In his capacity, he supervises Interns during their fourth year, providing guidance and oversight in their workplace placements. Areas of interest include training senior students in essential skills such as case management, report writing, and adherence to professional codes of conduct, preparing them effectively for their fieldwork experiences.
Keltun Abyan holds a Master’s degree in Education – Curriculum & Instruction and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She is an experienced social work practitioner and one of the founding members of the School of Social Work at the University of Hargeisa. Keltun has previously worked as a social worker and has provided counselling services for behavioural change for community interventions at SOS Children’s Village and Inter Peace in Somaliland. Currently, she is a senior lecturer, and a fellow researcher in social work at the University of Hargeisa. Area of interest is teaching and mentoring for graduate students.
Nimo Bokore, BSW, GDip, MSW, PhD, is an Associate Professor at Carleton University School of Social Work. Nimo teaches clinical practice and research method courses and is part of a team of The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN) as part of researchers committed to promoting protection and solutions with and for refugees. Areas of interest include training graduate students and early career researchers interested in refugee and cross-cultural research, forced displacement, mental health, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), post-traumatic growth (PTG) and international social work.
Allan Moscovitch is Professor Emeritus at Carleton University where he was a member of faculty for more than 40 years and a previous Director of the School of Social Work. He focused his research and teaching on social policy and the Canadian welfare state. He is the author and editor of several books and many articles on the history of social welfare and on contemporary social policy issues. Most recently he wrote a new introduction for the republication of Social Security for Canada by Leonard Marsh, published by McGill-Queens University Press. Since retirement he has been co-coordinator of Hearts of Freedom (with Colleen Lundy), of a multiyear research project focussed on refugees who came to Canada from Southeast Asia from 1975 to 1985. With the assistance of a major grant from the Canada History Fund, a team of researchers and project staff has conducted 173 interviews, prepared a website on the exodus from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos (HeartsofFreedom.org), prepared a documentary film (available in French and English), a draft book to be published by McGill-Queens in 2025 and a set of travelling Exhibition Panels. He has also been active on many community boards locally and nationally. He was for many years the Chair of the Friends of the University of Hargeisa, School of Social Work.