Dimapur, January 29 (MExN): Marking the beginning of a new semesters, the North East Institute of Social Science & Research (NEISSR) organized an orientation programme for its Master of Social Work (MSW) students on January 27. Dr. A.J. Sebastian, former Professor & HoD, Department of English, Nagaland University and Johny Ruangmei, OSD, NSDMA, Government of Nagaland were the resource persons.
Dr. Sebastian spoke on the need of developing Intelligence Quotient, Emotional Quotient and Social Quotient in order to be effective in one’s own chosen field. He said that an individual who has not developed all the three quotients will fail to cope up with the pressure and the demands of the ever changing job market, a press release informed.
He spoke in detail the importance of developing effective communication skills and also expounded the importance of considering one’s body language and that of the person to whom the communication is made. The students were also trained in preparing CV.
Meanwhile, Johny Ruangmei spoke on ‘how to become thriving leaders in an exponential world’. He highlighted the exponential growth that science and technology have made in the past decades and questioned the students on how they are incorporating the benefits of that growth in their professional social work.
Social workers, he said, should be equipped with “a blend of knowledge from different areas and streams of studies.” However, he opined that equipping oneself with knowledge and the know-how is not enough.
Cautioning against the unethical use of the exponential growth of technology in curbing or ameliorating social problems, Ruangmei asserted that “public beneficence, responsible stewardship, intellectual freedom and responsibility, democratic deliberation, and justice and fairness” should be the touchstone on which the use of technologies is based. Drawing examples from the current scenario, he highlighted areas where technology which are accessible can be used to create employment and sustainable development for the Naga society.
Ruangmei further challenged the future social workers to be exponential leaders who are innovators, futurist, technologist and humanitarian.
The orientation programme is slated to conclude on January 30.
