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TISS Guwahati Hosts Inaugural Inhmukhawm to Strengthen Field Work Collaboration

By AT News |

Guwahati, December 18, 2024: The School of Social Work at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Guwahati Off-Campus, held its first-ever Inhmukhawm: Field Work Organisations’ Meet on Wednesday. The event, themed "Buen Vivr: Co-building a Sustainable and Just Future," brought together nearly 100 participants, including grassroots organizations, NGOs, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) representatives. Aligning with the International World Social Work Day 2024, the gathering focused on social work, sustainability, and justice, providing a platform for dialogue, learning, and collaborative innovation to enhance student fieldwork initiatives.

The event commenced with a warm welcome by Prof. Jagannath Ambagudia, Campus Director, who underscored TISS’s pivotal role in advancing social work education in India. Prof. Kalpana Sarathy, Dean of the School of Social Work and Convener of Inhmukhawm, highlighted fieldwork as the cornerstone of social work education and the significance of fostering deeper partnerships with state and non-state actors. She expressed gratitude to Shri Ratan Tata, who laid the foundation stone for the campus, and acknowledged the support of Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, both in his previous role as Education Minister and his current role as Chief Minister of Assam.

Dr. Shivani Chauhan Barooah, Co-convener, anchored the program, inviting faculty members to elaborate on the MASW (Master of Arts in Social Work) course structure. Detailed presentations on the curriculum were delivered by faculty, including Dr. Monica Kaothala (First-Year MASW Coordinator), Dr. Meghali Senapati (Centre for Counselling), Dr. Joseph Riamei (Centre for Community Organisation and Development Practice), Dr. Pradeep J. Ramavath (Centre for Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship), and Dr. Jennifer Kipgen (Centre for Public Health).

The highlight of the event was interactive group discussions facilitated by faculty members such as Dr. Razdan R. Sarim and Dr. Pomi Mahanta, involving over 40 participating organizations. These sessions explored strategies for institutional engagement in fieldwork and social work practices, providing actionable insights to build a sustainable future. The event concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Santhosh M.R., who emphasized the innovative suggestions for strengthening collaborations, followed by a vote of thanks by Dr. Pradeep J. Ramavath.

Adding to the vibrancy, exhibitions and information booths by over 10 organizations showcased the diverse efforts of participating stakeholders.

As the TISS Guwahati Off-Campus continues to lead in addressing critical social challenges, Inhmukhawm has laid the groundwork for collective knowledge-building and impactful partnerships, paving the way for a just and sustainable future.

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