Strengthened by challenges: the path of the social work education in Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Although the situations in many African countries require the presence of social workers, social work education is not yet well established in many parts of the Continent. The lack of social work educators presents a significant challenge to developing and running social work education programs. Hence, understanding how a social work education program can be opened despite such a shortage is very important. This article presents innovative strategies for developing a social work education program when local social work educators are not in place. It documents how Ethiopian graduate students assumed academic roles with the support of international social work faculty to manage and implement a social work education program. In 15 years, this initial program has resulted in the blossoming of social work education in Ethiopia, with 12 other universities and colleges currently offering social work degrees. Yet there have been many challenges along the way to this success. How these challenges became opportunities is instructive. This article documents the strategies used to overcome these challenges and make the School of Social Work at Addis Ababa University a sustainable national model. Lessons for social work educators and those interested in starting social work education programs are discussed.