An exploration of contextually relevant curricula in international social work education: learning from the experiences of selected Asian countries

Abstract

Current global uncertainties such as increasing socio-economic and political difficulties have amplified the significance of researching the nature of international social work education. This pilot study collaboratively investigated the educational characteristics of international social work curricula in Asia to identify the prevailing conditions related to this discipline. Data were collected in February 2023 at an international academic forum that included presentations delivered by researchers from five Asian countries. An exploratory and qualitative-descriptive analysis was performed to identify the contexts and contents of curricula related to international social work. The study findings elucidated the need to explore curricula that may differ from mainstream syllabi taught in international social work education programmes in Western countries. The findings of this study underscore the importance of dialogic processes and continual collaborative research projects.