Chennai: Gone are the days when representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) alone took up social work courses in college. Now, engineers, dentists and even journalists are into social work, and the Madras School of Social Work (MSSW) has seen a steep rise in such professionals registering for social work programmes.
In the wake of suicides by youngsters and the growing number of family disputes, the need for specia­li­sed counsellors has ma­de several youngst­ers join courses in MSSW. Dr Fatima Va­santh, principal and secretary of MSSW says that the college receives 15 applicatio­ns for one seat whe­reas the situation, a decade ago, was three applications for one seat.
With a huge de­m­and for the course, the college fills up all seats with ease. “This year we have about 60 per cent of the students from engineering bac­k­­grounds, followed by doctors. We also have many students from the North East,” she said.
The college started wi­th just one course, the DSSA programme and 25 students, and has now grown in le­aps and bounds to ad­mit 700 students in nine programmes in three shifts. The hu­man resource management programme has been a hit among students, and the curriculum provides room for hands-on experience with practical sessions two days a week.
The college enjoys 100 per cent placement with all students getting appointed in top companies. “Ten per cent of our students get placed as interns in corporate companies, others in NGOs and in the government sector, including the social justice department.
Some have even started their own companies to become job-givers rather than job seekers. Last year a student got recruited at the highest salary of Rs 9 lakh per annum,” the principal added.
Ohio students flock to Chennai
Srikkanth Dhasarathy
From Annie Besant to Mo­t­h­er Teresa, India’s cultural and societal conundrum has attracted many a people from the West who attempted to study the dynamics of this vast diverse nation.
“Wh­at a blessing it is to me­et people and appreciate an­other culture!” exclaimed Dr Shanta of Ohio state university who has been co-or­dinating a three-week cultu­ral exchange programme for the last  eight years with the Madras School of Social Work.
“What are the factors that drive women to kill their children in spite of lenient adoption laws? I got my dissertation topic,” beams Angela, a Ph.D scholar from Ohio State University as she was attending a morning theoretical session with MSSW principal, Dr.Fatima Vasanth.
Angela is among the 10 students who has chosen to come to India as a part of their university’s cultural exchange programme. Students from various disciplines like public health, global studies and nursing sign up for this programme.
Dr.Shanta expressed immense pleasure in the commitment of  her wards over the years. “We do not have any diplomas or credits for this programme. The students sign up out of their own interest.” she said.
Asked if three weeks are enough to understand the social dynamics of such a huge nation like India, Alexandria, a first year MSW student from Ohio,  said, “It is not enough, but our introduction to a different society matters as we get to understand why people do things the way they do it here.”
Being here and seeing it, the reality of the east is what we take back home, said Kelly who has travelled extensively across Asia and feels that the trip to India and studying its various cultural entities is a part of a personal growth.
Student-dentist wants to start NGO for cancer
It is not without a reason that Madras School of Social Work is ranked the third best school for social work in the country. Mas­ters in Social Work (MSW) is the signature course since MSSW’s inception in 1952, attracting passionate and qualified youngsters from various fields.
One such example is Dr Arul Joshy, a dentist, who wanted to understand the society he lived in.  “I have learnt all that is related to the medicinal aspects in my undergraduation, but I wanted to learn and understand my society,” he said. This final year MSW Student’s ultimate aim is to start an NGO to treat oral cancer.
Vithusha Rameshan left her homeland Sri Lanka about seven years back. Now, settled in India, this final year MSW student never minced words when asked what made her choose social work after graduating in business administration.
“The problems back in my country made me think and I decided to take up social work. I hope to work for the welfare of transgenders and children,” she said.
Dr Raja Samuel, head of department, talks with pride about the work students are involved.  “Students reach out to society by working with NGOs and volunteer for many social causes.” he said.
Vasundhra. R, an engineer,  who left her job at a leading IT company,  said several communication techni­q­ues were taught to students as a part of the programme and over a period, students become masters of street plays and other techniques.