About the Department
The Department of Social Work at Shaheed Mahendra Karma University, Bastar prepares professionally competent, ethically grounded, and socially committed practitioners. Located in the culturally vibrant and developmentally significant region of Bastar, the department offers a unique learning experience that blends global social work principles with local realities of tribal communities, forest-dependent livelihoods, public health challenges, indigenous knowledge systems, and community resilience.
The MSW programme combines rigorous academic teaching with immersive fieldwork across tribal villages, welfare departments, livelihood missions, health institutions, and civil society organisations. Designed in alignment with UGC norms, NEP 2020, NHEQF, and international social work values (IASSW standards), the programme emphasizes social justice, human rights, inclusion, research orientation, and sustainable development.
The department is committed to developing graduates who can contribute effectively to regional, national, and global social development agendas.
Vision
To be a nationally and internationally recognised centre of excellence in social work education, research, and community development, with a strong commitment to tribal empowerment and inclusive growth.
Mission
To impart quality, competency-based, and ethically grounded social work education.
To promote culturally sensitive practice rooted in the socio-economic realities of Bastar.
To strengthen field-based learning through partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, CSR groups, and development organisations.
To foster research on tribal development, public health, livelihoods, governance, gender, and social welfare.
To prepare professionals capable of contributing to national priorities and global agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Objectives
To develop skilled social work professionals with strong theoretical and practical understanding.
To build students’ capacity for field-based research and community engagement.
To promote leadership qualities, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making.
To strengthen understanding of tribal issues, rural development, public health, and social policies.
To equip students for professional roles in government, NGOs, CSR, and international organisations.
Programme Highlights
Curriculum aligned with national and international social work standards.
Extensive field practicum in tribal communities, health centres, ICDS units, livelihood missions, and community organisations.
Focus on Bastar-specific issues: NTFP value chain, forest rights, SHG movements, malnutrition, traditional governance, and indigenous knowledge.
Workshops, guest lectures, exposure visits, and seminars by experts and practitioners.
Opportunities for community-based research and policy analysis.
Career Opportunities
Government Welfare Departments
NGOs and International Development Agencies
CSR Foundations
Health and Education Sectors
Livelihood Missions, SHG Federations, Forest Cooperatives
Research & Training Institutes
Counselling, Rehabilitation, and Community Development Organisations