R. Priyadharsini is an experienced Assistant Professor with more than 13 years of experience successfully contributing to social work curriculum development and delivery. She is known for providing great support to both academicians and students with an approachable demeanor and excellent attention to detail. She has completed her P.h D (Social Work) from Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore. She has received awards and recognition from UGC NET Social Work (2017) and Nominated for Innovation Ambassador (IA) for the Academic year 2022- 23.

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Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science

What is the latest program that you are offering in your institute/department that will help students outperform and stand apart from the crowd?

Master of Social Work program offered at Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Coimbatore offers 3 specializations namely Medical and Psychiatry (Clinical Social Work), Human Resource Management, and Community Development (Developmental Management). The syllabus of subjects is updated every semester based on suggestions given by subject experts and experienced professionals to enable Social Work students to upgrade their subject knowledge and skill sets required for becoming employed in this competitive world.

What are the factors that make this program the best for the students to opt for?

Factors that make the Master of Social Work course the best for the students to opt for are  Master of Social Work students who have completed Human Resource Management specialization are preferred in all multinational companies and industries. There is a huge demand for Master of Social Work learners who have completed Clinical Social Work (Medical and Psychiatry) specialization and can work in leading hospitals in India and foreign countries. 

Master of Social Work pupils who have completed Developmental Management (Community Development) specialization have employment opportunities in civil society organizations at local, regional, national, and international levels. People who have a passion for teaching and research complete a Master of Social Work course and a doctoral degree in the mentioned subject. There is less competition for teaching in Social Work subjects as compared to other conventional courses.

What will you say the “best practices” in the course you are offering?

The best practices in the course we are offering at Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Coimbatore are updating the syllabus of the Master of Social Work degree every semester and are mandatory for students to practice methods of Social Work in Concurrent Fieldwork. Contemporary topics for assignments and seminars relevant to the subjects in the Master of Social Work degree with conducting Workshops, Guest Lectures, Conferences, and Cultural events would lead to the holistic development of Master of Social Work students. 

It would enable them to be prepared to become an effective Social Work professional. Educational Tours provide a break from classroom learning, enhance knowledge and understanding, promote teamwork and social skills, and encourage independent learning among the students which promotes creativity and critical thinking by exposing them to new places.

What are some valuable insights of the program that you are offering at your institute or department?

Some valuable insights of the Master of Social Work program at Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Coimbatore are we encourage students to publish research articles in Scopus Indexed or UGC Care List journals and as book chapters, and motivate learners to participate in conferences, workshops, seminars, and cultural events organized by reputed higher educational institutions.

We inspire students to take up contemporary research topics relevant to Social Work subject for their “Project Work”, and would organize workshops, Guest Lectures, Conferences, and Cultural events that would lead to the holistic development of Master of Social Work students.

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How does the program ensure that students are being prepared for the future?

Postgraduate and Research Department of Social Work, Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Coimbatore organizes lots of workshops, Guest lectures, training, and capacity-building programs to enhance employability skills for our students. Our college also arranges for student’s job placement.

How did you train yourself or the faculty to deliver this program to the students?

Being passionate about teaching and research, I deliver my subject content in a precise and comprehensive manner by using appropriate tools/ case studies/ stimulation techniques. For Training the faculty we are involved in a structural approach by identifying the specific areas of expertise and gaps in knowledge and skills among faculty members. Creating a detailed training plan that outlines the objectives, content, and timeline for faculty development and allocating resources, including budget, time, and technology, for faculty training.

Reviewing the existing curriculum to ensure it aligns with current social work theories, practices, and standards while identifying areas where the curriculum can be enhanced to meet the evolving needs of students and the field. Organizing workshops and training sessions conducted by experts in social work and covering essential topics such as social work theories, assessment, intervention strategies, cultural competency, and ethical considerations. Encouraging faculty to participate in conferences and seminars related to social work education and also encouraging peer learning and collaboration to foster a supportive environment.

Training faculty on effective supervision techniques for fieldwork placements and help them understand the challenges students may face during fieldwork and how to support them and encourage faculty to adapt teaching methods to different learning styles and abilities. We also ensure faculty are well-versed in cultural competency to address diverse student populations effectively and encourage faculty to engage in research to stay updated with current trends and contribute to the field of social work.

How do you tend to build industry connections with this program?

We develop a connection with reputed hospitals, companies, and civil society organizations by sending our Master of Social Work students for their Concurrent Fieldwork and taking 1st-semester students for Observational Visits. Invite Psychologists or Social Workers working in hospitals or civil society organizations and human resource managers employed in reputed companies for guest lectures or sensitization programs or workshops.

What were the challenges that you faced in inculcating this in your curriculum?

It would be wonderful if our institution could provide social work students with placement training and a placement drive focused on their area of specialization within their program. Initiating teacher and student exchange programs with international universities would also be appreciated. These initiatives offer chances for networking, help faculties and students in developing their cultural competency, and provide opportunities for networking and enhancing their employability skills to address global social issues.

What type of projects that the students are working on through this program?

Our Master of Social Work students take up quantitative research topics relevant to the area of specialization in the subject and interest by consulting faculty supervisors. 

What are the benefits and career options after pursuing this course?

Various career options available to students after pursuing a Master of Social Work degree like Master of Social Work students can work as human resource managers in industries or companies, as clinical social workers in hospitals, and as social workers in non – non-governmental organizations. He or she can work in “Central and State Government” organizations after clearing respective government competitive examinations. 

The student can become an “Assistant Professor in the Social Work department” of colleges and universities after completing a Doctorate or National Eligibility Test for Lectureship or Junior Research Fellowship in Social Work subject. Some of the benefits of pursuing this course are it has vast employment opportunities in companies, hospitals, and civil society organizations in India and abroad. 

What valuable advice would you like to give the students so they to have a prosperous career ahead?

Students need to develop in-depth knowledge in their Master of Social Work subjects. They should actively participate in workshops, Guest Lectures, Sensitization Programs, Conferences, and all activities of our Social Work department at Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Coimbatore. They should develop the professional skills needed to outshine in their respective career.

When you came to college what was your vision and how you are trying to achieve the same?

I had a passion for teaching and research when I joined an Assistant Professor in the Social Work department” at Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Coimbatore, I have always had the vision to see myself growing and successful in whatever role I am playing. 

I kept myself engaged in the responsibilities assigned to the department and took the initiative to bring potential output for the development of the department and myself. I visualized a successful path over time I am achieving it which motivated me to take up all the opportunities to grow and establish myself as a creative person personally a skillful teacher among the students and a potential employee in the institution.

What made you decide to become a teacher?

Genuine desire to learn and want to share that passion with others. Being a teacher, I feel it leads to personal growth and development, as an educator I can continually refine my communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Many individuals have had teachers in their own lives who made a significant impact on them. 

These positive experiences motivated me to become a teacher, hoping to inspire and guide future generations in the same way. My natural affinity for working with young people gives me a sense of fulfillment in helping them grow, both academically and personally.