CWU Holds Opening Ceremony for Social Work Master Candidates

China Women's University (CWU) held an opening ceremony for masters of social work on September 28.

The enrollment of social work postgraduate students is one of the university's foreign aid projects, which was co-sponsored by CWU and the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM), aiming to improve women's leadership and promote social development in developing countries.

Song Wenyan, vice-minister of the International Liaison Department of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), and CWU Vice-President Liu Meng participated in the event.

On behalf of the ACWF, Song expressed her congratulations and warmly welcomed 26 foreign students from 17 developing countries.

In line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, Song analyzed the importance of carrying out the program from a strategic prospective. Focused on women's leadership and social development, the project will help to popularize quality education and promote gender equality worldwide, Song said.

Moreover, Song introduced the background and training objectives of the project. She hoped all international students could learn China's practices and experiences in promoting women's development, and enhance their ability to use relevant theories and methods.

At the same time, Song expressed her expectations that students could improve their management capacity, promote women's participation in social development, as well as contribute to promoting gender equality and women's development all over the world.

Liu warmly welcomed the trainees on behalf of CWU's teachers and students, and expressed her heartfelt thanks to ACWF and the MOFCOM. Liu introduced the historical background, management characteristics and talent cultivation goals of the university. As a university affiliated to ACWF and the first full-time women's university in China, CWU has made great efforts promoting gender equality and women and children's development, Liu said.

Attaching great importance to the project, Liu hoped the course could enrich female students' professional knowledge, promote their capacity building, as well as contribute to promoting gender equality, women's education and women's development in China and relevant countries.

Jiessie, an official from one of the developing countries, gave a lecture on behalf of all students. She thanked the Chinese government for offering her scholarship and chance to study in China.

Jiessie said. "I have learned that CWU has rich experiences in cultivating women cadres, I will study hard, bring what I have learned in China back to my homeland and promote gender equality there," Jiessie added.

CWU started to enroll students from developing countries for the social work master's degree project since 2016. CWU is committed to building women's management capacity, promoting women's empowerment, social development and gender equality.

The project will further enhance CWU's substantive role in serving China's diplomacy and promoting women's development and gender equality.

A total of 26 female cadres from 17 countries and regions gained admission to participate in the course. Most of the trainees came from governments and academic institutions of Algeria, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Botswana, Burundi, Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Laos, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, South Sudan and Uganda.

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