Department of Social Work Emphasises Practice and Academics

Professor Steve FONG Fu-fai, Head of the Department of Social Work, shared that the department aligns closely with the University’s academic development through digital humanities courses, practice-based research, and international collaboration. He added that preparations are underway to launch a doctoral programme to meet evolving societal needs.

How does the department support and align with the University’s strategic direction?

In curriculum design, the department reviews its courses annually. In response to HKSYU’s focus on “Digital Humanities”, it offers “Digital Technology in Social Work Practice” at both undergraduate and master’s levels. Each year, new elective courses are introduced in areas such as counselling skills, elderly and child services, therapeutic approaches, and service planning, thereby providing students with diverse career pathways.

In research, faculty members are encouraged to apply for grants, publish in academic journals, and engage with professional organisations to strengthen the University’s academic reputation. Practice-oriented research is a particular focus, including the development of service protocols and evaluation of service effectiveness. With the diversity of service targets, research outcomes emphasise practical application, bridging theory and reality. The department also collaborates with international and mainland institutions, inviting overseas scholars as advisors or co-researchers to enhance global visibility.

While social work training is highly localised—internships are generally conducted in Cantonese—the department has, in recent years, admitted students from Chinese mainland into both its bachelor’s and master’s programmes.

Distinctive Features of the academic team:
The department comprises around 25 full-time faculty members, most with extensive frontline service experience. Its defining feature lies in “connecting teaching with practice rather than focusing solely on theory”. This enables faculty to share real-world experiences with students. Strong collaborative ties with social welfare organisations further enrich teaching and research. These organisations provide internship opportunities for HKSYU students and often give priority consideration to HKSYU graduates in recruitment.

What is the department’s future direction? Are there plans for new programmes?

The department plans to launch a Doctor of Social Work programme next September, becoming the first self-financing post-secondary institution in Hong Kong to offer such a degree. The programme is designed to align with social development, particularly in response to Greater Bay Area integration policies. It aims to attract teachers from local social work institutions and executives from social welfare agencies, while also recruiting students from mainland social welfare organisations and social work institutions. In doing so, the programme seeks to nurture professional talent and contribute to the advancement of the mainland social work sector.

Celebratory message for University’s 55th Anniversary
“I am deeply grateful to Dr Henry HU Hung-lick for founding Shue Yan College. Beyond wishing the University a happy birthday, I hope we can continue to encourage one another. Dr HU’s founding vision was rooted in cultivating ‘Benevolence’ and nurturing virtue. Only when individuals possess good character—or when we nurture students with good character—can the knowledge they acquire truly contribute to the development of society.”