On August 6, 2018, a new batch of students was inducted into the Amrita Master of Social Work program at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri campus. Offered by India’s only UNESCO Chair in Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, the Amrita MSW is a two-year full-time residential program which offers world-class opportunities in the field of Social Work. 

The inaugural speech was given by Br. Dayamrita Chaitanya, the Executive Director of M.A. Centers, North America. Other addresses were given by Dr. Balakrishnan Shankar, Campus Associate Dean, Dr. Sidney Strauss, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science and Prof. Bhavani Rao R., the UNESCO Chairholder and Chair of the MSW Program. Afternoon sessions included orientations about the academic programs, campus life & facilities and international collaborations. 

The students were enthusiastic about joining Amrita. Student S. S. Jainath commented, “Amrita truly blends technology with social welfare to further humanity. Amrita is well known to lend a helping hand to the underserved. This university also provides a great environment for us students to enrich our potential as future social workers.”

“Amrita is a strong pillar of support for the student community to become professionals that make a difference in this world,” said new student Vahida Rahim.

The Center for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (CWEGE) of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham promotes societal transformation through participatory action research, education and implementation. CWEGE presently hosts two graduate programs, a Ph. D. program and a Masters of Social Work, under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Both courses train students to engage deeply with the relevant areas of study under the six verticals and to apply their knowledge practically. The coursework is tied with fieldwork, and all students spend extended time working closely with communities in villages across the country.