The Development of Social Work Education in Malaysia

Abstract

This chapter examines the challenges faced by social work academia and profession in Malaysia. Social work was seen fit to produce the human resource that addresses social ills and lead to the creation of a caring society. As a developing nation, Malaysia is becoming more aware of the need to train professional social workers in order to enhance its citizens’ quality of life. In responding to this need, the social workers in Malaysia often face many challenges on how to apply their social work knowledge, skills, and values particularly when they have to intervene with their clients. Even though social work profession in Malaysia is developing positively, nevertheless there is no guideline of specific criteria being established for selection of social work undergraduates into Higher Education Institutions.