Welcome

The Department of Social Work at FASS started in 1952 and provides professional social work education at the Undergraduate, Post-Graduate Diploma, Masters and PhD level. We have a dynamic team of faculty and students who are passionate about enhancing social well-being along the individual to societal levels using a variety of methods relevant to today's society.

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

  1. 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.
  2. To lead in the development and promotion of regional social work education, practice and research in collaboration with Asian and other international partners.

News

April 9, 2026

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 […]

April 2, 2026

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.

March 19, 2026

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 […]

March 14, 2026

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.

March 12, 2026

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 […]

March 5, 2026

New Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS to advance interdisciplinary research on complex societal challenges

By combining technological innovation with human insight, the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities (CSSH) aims to generate research that improves lives, strengthens institutions, preserves cultural knowledge, and shapes more inclusive and resilient societies in Singapore and beyond.

February 15, 2026

New book by NUS Social Work’s Dr S Vasoo offers insights on delivering efficient and impactful social services

A new book edited by social service pioneer and NUS Social Work Emeritus Professor Dr S Vasoo that highlights the role of professional social work in strengthening the delivery of cost-efficient, accountable and impactful social services was launched on 11 February 2026.

December 28, 2025

It takes a “kampung”: Creating a sustainable ecosystem of care for everyone, by everyone

The recent NUS SSR-TOUCH Conference 2025 aimed to advance conversations and strengthen sectoral capabilities in social service research, evidence-to-practice translation, sustainable collaborations, and impact measurement.

December 18, 2025

Time Poverty among the Young Working Poor: A Pathway from Low Wage to Psychological Well-being through Work-to-Family-Conflict 

The implementation of the enhanced Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme at the beginning of 2025 will benefit around half a million Singaporeans through increased payouts and expanded coverage. The income eligibility cap for low-wage workers was raised from S$2,500 to S$3,000 a month, providing greater financial support and fostering continued wage growth. During his Budget […]

November 21, 2025

The moderating role of trajectories of family hardiness in the relationship between trajectories of economic hardship and mental health of mothers and children

On 20th November 2024, the ComLink+ scheme celebrates its one-year anniversary, having provided support to about 14,000 families across areas such as pre-school education, employment, and home ownership. Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli described the scheme as a significant step towards enhancing resilience and promoting social mobility in Singapore, particularly for low-income […]

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