Welcome
Vision
To be a leading educational and research institution within the international social work community, providing a distinctive Asian perspective in social work and social development.
Mission
- To produce and develop competent social work graduates who can contribute to the well-being of society by:
- Promoting the social functioning of people within the environment from the perspectives of the individual, family and community;
- Enabling the development of human potential to the fullest;
- Undertaking research and creating awareness and understanding of social issues and social change.
- To lead in the development and promotion of regional social work education, practice and research in collaboration with Asian and other international partners.
News
School bullying and cyberbullying in Singapore: prevalence, predictors, and outcomes
According to a survey in 2012, nearly 4 in 5 Singapore children aged 8 to 17 were bullied online and/or offline (Microsoft Corporation, 2012). Unsurprisingly, school bullying is a pervasive social issue where children and adolescents are subjected to harmful behaviour by their peers. In the digital age, this extends to cyberbullying, which involves hurtful […]
MOH Expert Panel Report on Mental Health Impact of Social Media Use
As Singapore considers how best to protect young people online, an expert panel convened by the Ministry of Health (MOH) is advocating for a more nuanced approach than an age-based social media ban.
Expanding the family circle: Local in-law relationships and their role in supporting foreign spouses
The Transnational Family Care Programme was launched in July 2024 to address the growing needs and challenges faced by transnational families in Singapore. With about one-third of citizen marriages involving a Singaporean marrying a non-citizen, the number of transnational families is growing in Singapore, constituting an integral part of its social fabric. While community programmes […]
Campaigning for digital equality: the role of digital access attitudes in neoliberal context
Despite the widespread adoption of digital services post-COVID where e-transactions, telecommuting, and online activities have become the norm, societal attitudes toward digital equality and strategies to achieve it remain underexplored. In ‘Campaigning for Digital Equality: the Role of Digital Access Attitudes in a Neoliberal Context’ (Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development, 2024), Professor […]
Commentary: Is Compassion Enough? Recognising the Strengths of Low-Income Children
Fundraising appeals featuring children, especially when they are portrayed as victims in need or distress, naturally tug at our heartstrings and evoke deep compassion from potential donors. While this strategy is undeniably effective in raising funds to meet pressing needs, it raises an important question: Is compassion enough? Our answer is clear—compassion alone is not […]
Financial capability training for social workers in Singapore: Towards more effective practice
In Singapore, the landscape of financial capability is increasingly critical, especially for low-income individuals and families grappling with overwhelming debt. As financial institutions and markets evolve, the complexities of managing finances have intensified, leaving vulnerable populations at a greater risk of financial instability. Oftentimes, social workers assigned to assist financially vulnerable individuals lack adequate training […]
2026 Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Awards Honouring graduates who have dedicated their lives to the arts, diplomacy and social services
The awards, held on 1 April, honoured three distinguished alumni whose careers have shaped the arts, diplomacy and communities: Ms Lim Hai Yen (English Language and Chinese Studies ’92), Mr Ashok Mirpuri (Political Science Hons ’84), and Ms Ang Bee Lian (Social Work ’77). Though their careers have unfolded in very different arenas, they share a common thread: a commitment to serving society and shaping the world around them.
Supervision of Supervisory Practice: From Idea to Practice
With the social work profession expanding into diverse areas such as medical care, community engagement, and government organisations, the demand for effective supervision has grown significantly. Despite this, research on supervisory practices remains limited. Existing literature emphasises the need for a holistic supervisory approach that goes beyond technical and clinical competencies, incorporating emotional support and […]
NUS Open House 2026: From the future of learning to the pulse of student life
Prospective students turned out in force for the NUS Open House 2026, one of the University’s largest events of the year, with some 21,500 visitors packing University Town on 7 March for a first-hand look at the University’s distinctive academic programmes and its vibrant campus community.
Financial capability training for social workers in Singapore: Towards more effective practice
The age of financialisation has seen the emergence of a wide array of transformative financial products and services, such as digital banking applications and various types of investments. For the underprivileged, there is little margin for error when making financial decisions, due to their low incomes and capital. These individuals often require the assistance of […]