CWU Opens Training Program for Masters of Social Work

China Women's University (CWU) held an opening ceremony on September 26 for a project which aims to cultivate a masters course in Social Work.

The event was co-sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM) and CWU. It aims to cultivate women's leadership skills, promote social progress and strengthen women's communication between China and other developing countries.

Mu Hong, minister of the International Liaison Department of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), made an opening speech. She expressed her heartfelt congratulations to the university for hosting such a gathering and warmly welcomed 21 trainees from 9 developing countries. 
 
Mu said that as the largest developing country in the world, China has put consolidating and strengthening friendly cooperation with other developing countries as the important cornerstone of its diplomacy. 

She outlined the objectives, curriculum and teaching methods of the training course and expressed her hope that all trainees could strive to improve their professional skills, learn everything they possibly can about Chinese culture and academic institutions, as well as contribute to promoting gender equality, women's participation in social work and women's empowerment in economy and politics.

Wang Yajie, president of the International Business Officials' Training Institute, expressed her deep appreciation and gratitude towards the ACWF, the State Council, the Ministry of Education and the CWU for hosting the program. She gave a brief introduction to the historical background and the current situation of China's foreign aid project.

She emphasized that China is willing to provide assistance to the best of its ability to other developing countries and will unremittingly boost common development. She hoped that trainees could learn more about China's national conditions and Chinese people's livelihoods.

On behalf of the CWU, president Liu Liqun warmly welcomed the participants and thanked all the sponsors. Liu introduced CWU's development history, school-running characteristics, postgraduate curriculum, objectives of talent cultivation and its basic status of international exchange.

As a university affiliated to ACWF and the first full-time women's university in China, the CWU has made outstanding contributions to promoting gender equality and women and children's development. Liu hoped that overseas students could study hard, strengthen self-construction, and become an important bridge for friendly exchange between Chinese people and foreigners. 

Themed on "Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment", the event will further promote healthy and stable growth of state relations with relevant countries, promote women's development and realize gender equality worldwide, Liu added.

In attendance were also CWU Vice-President Wang Lian and some directors from different schools and departments.

The trainees came from governments and academic institutes of 9 countries, including Algeria, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Mauritius, South Sudan and Jamaica.

(Source: China Women's University/Translated and edited by Gender Study Network)