The University was privileged to host Professor Barbara Andres from Kansas University USA and her delegation for a public lecture at the University Auditorium C. Prof. Andres is a distinguished scholar in Social Work and Community Development with a long career in the area of mental health. In attendance was the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dr. Ben Nyongesa, the Director Office of Career Services Dr. Robert Wafula, the Chair of the Department of Social Work and Criminology Dr. Mark Leting, the Faculty and students of Social Work.
The Chair of Department Dr. Mark Leting thanked the Administration for according the students of Social Work an opportunity to tap into the wealth of knowledge possessed by international scholars in their area of training. Such an accession not only expands the knowledge of our learners but also stirs opportunities for linkages between our institutions. His sentiments were echoed by Dr. Wafula Director Office of Career Services who exhibited confidence at such interactions creating not only a lasting relationship between our institutions and motivating career development of our students but also being avenues of opportunities for our graduates.
In his opening remarks the Dean of FASS Dr. Ben Nyongesa thanked Prof. Andres and her delegation for making time to visit Kibabii University and open up linkages that will spur partnership between these two institutions and establish staff and students exchange programmes. In appreciating the place of Social Work the Dean emphasized the importance of humanity as a critical area in all disciplines around the world. According to the Dean the significance of this visit to our students couldn’t be emphasized more as it shows them the quality of the training they are getting which is not just for the local market but also for a global demand and that he was looking forward to a partnership between Kibabii University and Kansas University in Social Work.
Professor Barbara Andres in her lecture reminded the students of the place of Social Work as a discipline. “Social Work is about thinking about other people and empowering them to have a better life” said Prof. Her passion in the area of Mental Health and Non-Profitable Organizations can be traced back to 1975 when she started taking an interest in this area that wasn’t receiving the much needed attention. For all these years she has invested her knowledge, skills and resources in creating a safe space for mental health patients in different parts of the world by coming up with different intervention plans. Prof. Barbra implored on social workers to never give up on people and to always strive to be transparent and open as this will be key in making other people’s lives better.
