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
Dying in a foreign land: A study of completed suicides among foreign workers in Singapore
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed annually on 10 September with the aim of rallying organisations, governments, and the public around the message that suicide is preventable. The triennial theme from 2024 to 2026, ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’, seeks to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides. […]
Re-Conceptualizing Bereavement Care Practices: Insights Gained from Service Providers
Bereavement, defined as the experience of losing a loved one to death and the subsequent process of adaptation, is a universal yet deeply personal experience. While many individuals successfully employ internal resources to cope with their loss, others may face a heightened risk of developing complicated grief reactions, such as major depression or suicidal ideation, […]
Early Adversity and Young Workers’ Well-being in Singapore
What happens at work may not begin at work. For some young employees, struggles with job security, confidence, and optimism may be shaped by experiences from much earlier in life. In ‘Young people who faced childhood adversities like abuse more likely to struggle at work: Study’ (The Straits Times, 14 June 2026), the findings of […]
The Singaporean workers who feel AI has nothing to do with them
Driven by rapid technological advancements and a strong national push for digitalization, Singapore’s workforce landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes deeply embedded across industries, it introduces distinct challenges for workforce equity. Unlike entry-level white-collar roles where AI adoption is swift, many frontline and service sectors remain largely untouched by these […]
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 […]