evaluation of social work education programs in Azerbaijan Lamiya Rzayeva

1. evaluation of social work education programs in Azerbaijan Lamiya Rzayeva Executive Director of AZSWU lamiyarzayeva@azswu.org

2. Evaluation Design • Purpose • The purpose of this study was to evaluate situation of social work education programs in Azerbaijan and to find out progresses in establishing social work education in the country and also challenges that prevent to get high quality social work education. • Background • Since 2005, 8 universities provide social work education in Azerbaijan now. All of them provide social work bachelor and master of social work. The universities which have social work education are mainly located in Baku (6 universities), in Ganja (1 university) and in Nakhichevan (1 university). • The Global Standards which was developed by International Federation of Social Workers, International Association of Schools of Social Work and International Council of Social Welfare will be evaluation benchmark for this research. Although none of universities in Azerbaijan was members of IASSW prior to the evaluation, the global standards are still valuable benchmark to measure quality of local social work education programs in Azerbaijan.

3. Evaluation Design • Methodology • The study used cross-sectional, non-experimental, mixed method design. It had quantitative, qualitative and secondary data analysis methods. The study included online survey, telephone/skype questionnaire, in-depth interviews and focus groups. • Summary of data collection: • Online survey -100 bachelor and master’s students • Online /Skype/phone interviews with alumni - 25 • Focus groups- 3 (2 in Baku and 1 in Ganja with non-profit and state agencies) • In-depth interviews-37 (9- governments in Baku and Ganja, 7 - NGOs , 8 - heads of social work programs and 13 social work teachers) • Social work program checklist- 8 universities

4. Limitations and challenges of evaluation • Refusal of some respondents to participate in the survey due to lack of time and not interest in the survey • Lack of official permission / letter from the Cabinet of Ministries and Ministry of Education to conduct the survey in Ganja and Nakhichevan regions ( at the end of November the former Minister of Education was dismissed from his position and appointed as the Minister of Taxes of Azerbaijan Republic. Since then a new Minister of Education has not been appointed and the issue with our letter has not been resolved yet) • Some questions in the questionnaire in particularly on the challenges and difficulties in Social work program or profession has been perceived by some Government officials and/ or Universities representatives as criticism of their services or settings ; they didn’t want to accept that they have some difficulties • During check list data collection some universities refused to provide some data referring to its confidentiality

5. Findings of evaluation – Social Work Alumni (cont.) • The following suggestions to make changes in SW education program were mentioned by the respondents: • To increase hours for practicum/ field placement • To increase number of young , qualified and professional lecturers; to involve teachers with SW education degree • To exclude repeated and/ or non relevant to SW classes; to improve SW curriculum , to use relevant international experience and literature while designing a curriculum • To improve supervision process during a field placement • To improve image of SW profession and to present SW profession in modern format to students ; there is a gap between perception of modern SW profession and what taught at university • To increase score during University entry exams for SW education program • To build collaboration with social service providers and NGOs for field placement of students in these organizations • To translate SW education related literature

6. Respondents • 25 SW alumni • 100 SW students • 8 deans • 13 lecturers • 15 NGO representative • 15 Government representatives

7. Findings of evaluation – Social Work Students • Online survey among BA and Masters students using Google form program • 100 students responded to the questions in the survey form • Out of 100 students 91 were students of BA program in Social Work, 6 students of Masters degree in Social Work, and 3 students were from other social science programs • Majority of the respondents (75%) were 17-20 years old students • 64% of the respondents were female students • 30 % of interviewed students live in rural and 70 % live in urban areas • About half of the respondents chose social work degree because they want to help the society in dealing with social issues and they are fond of social work profession • 20 % and 16 % of the respondents got to SW faculty either randomly through Entry test exams or based on their score.

8. Findings of evaluation – Social Work Students (cont.) • Overall the students positively rated the quality of teachers and practicum in their universities, unlike to social work resources ( books, materials, handouts) that were rated negatively by the students • 56% of respondents are satisfied with social work education at their universities • Among the favorite classes in social work education program at university, the respondents mentioned “Theory and experience of Social work”, “Introduction to SW” and “ Social Work with children”

9. Findings of evaluation – Social Work Students (cont.)

10. Findings of evaluation – Head/ Deans of Social Work Programs and Social Work Teachers • In total 8 deans and 13 teachers of 8 universities with social work program across the country were interviewed during this study • Overall majority of the respondents have clear understanding of social work concept and goals. According to them “social work is a profession that promotes the empowerment and freedom of people in order to solve social problems and improve their welfare”, “social work is improving of well being of vulnerable population”, “ social work trains professionals to support and assist to people in need “, “ social work improves the quality of life of various social groups, ensures provision of their rights and freedoms, and deals with social issues”, etc. • The universities have written and clear mission and purpose of SW education program • There is lack of cooperation and collaboration between different universities which offer SW education program. However universities are open for any discussions and ready to participate in roundtables and workshops. Establishment of the cooperation between universities is essential and this can support the improvement and development of social work in the country.

11. Findings of evaluation – Head/ Deans of Social Work Programs and Social Work Teachers ( cont.) • Recommendations for future development/ improvement of social work education and profession in Azerbaijan: • To improve SW program curriculum • To recruit professional and qualified SW teaching personnel with sufficient SW experience • Prior to opening of SW faculty program in University to assess capacity and potential of this university to host this program • To increase literature in SW , in particular in local language • To create job places for social workers at state level • The SW program should be build in order to have theory classes in parallel with practical work • To open social work staff position in many organizations

12. Findings of evaluation – Head/ Deans of Social Work Programs and Social Work Teachers ( cont.) • To strengthen cooperation between students and relevant organizations • To organize study tours for students and teaching personnel to the US and European countries to learn SW international experience • To open Phd degree on social work • To enhance partnership and cooperation of MoE with other social education programs • To consider the national and ethnic interests of society during development of SW profession and education

13. Findings of evaluation - Not for Profit / Non- Governmental Organizations • The respondents stated the following suggestions for the universities with SW program: • To strengthen teaching staff potential and to involve SW educated teachers rather than teachers with political science or philosophy background • To prepare theoretical materials of SW education in local ( Azerbaijani) language • To create opportunities for students to have practicum in NGOs and other relevant organizations • To design SW education program in accordance with the international education standards • To prepare Field education (practicum) program with outlining theoretical and practical skills needed for SW students practical experience • To prepare Students and Organizations Evaluation Field forms for use after each practical course

14. Findings of evaluation - Government Agencies (cont.) • The suggestions for improvement of SW program in universities • To strengthen cooperation with social service providers and to increase number of practical courses for students • To invite international lecturers and to send students to study abroad • To invite teachers with SW education and experience, preferably with international education and experience • To create more libraries with SW literature • To enhance field education courses • To specialize SW education based on field of practice and client population (victims of domestic violence, aging, family and children services, mental health and disabilities, etc.) and to give opportunities to students to choose their preferred field • To increase hours for Specialization classes and to ensure that students are able to work on various cases

15. Findings of evaluation – Universities (8) Check Lists • There are no teachers and students with disabilities at social work programs of all universities; lack of accessible facilities and infrastructure in universities • Only 2 out of 8 universities has social work library, there are few books or no books in local language available for SW students at universities • Half of universities have access to online academic journals • None of the universities has separate administrative office for social work program to deal with student and teacher issues • Only 3 universities have teachers with social work degree • Out of 8 universities 6 have practicum and send students for field placement to various State and Non-Governmental organizations. • Average number of Fieldwork (Practicum) hours is 200-300. In comparison Columbia University School of Social Work has required 1200 hours to receive MSW • Out of 8 universities, only Azerbaijan University and Baku State University have more advanced in respect of program curricula, field placement, professional staff , program’s objectives and outcomes the SW education program.

16. Conclusions • There are nine sets of global standards in respect of: the school’s core purpose or mission statement; program objectives and outcomes; program curricula including fieldwork; core curricula; professional staff; social work students; structure, administration, governance and resources; cultural diversity; and social work values and ethics • Some established schools ( Baku State University, Azerbaijan University) with long history of SW education program might have surpassed the Global standards for the education and training of the social work profession compared with other Universities which in the process of beginning of SW program (Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts , Azerbaijan Labor and Social Relations Academy) and it will require some time for them to reach the Global standards • Almost all universities have clearly stated mission, objectives and purpose of SW education program at their universities. They reflect values and ethical principles of the profession.

17. Conclusions (cont.) • Most of Universities with SW education program follow standards regarding the program’s objectives and outcomes. The programs take into account cultural, economic , social, political factors at least at national level and addresses the national developmental needs and priorities • Every year social work program curriculum is changing based on social services legislation, change and development in state policy and best practices. All Universities provide a distinctive social work qualification at the diploma and post-graduate level as approved by national and qualification authorities • The components of standards with regard to program curriculum including field education are not followed by majority of Universities with SW education program • Field education is not sufficient in duration and complexity of tasks and learning opportunities to ensure that students are prepared for professional practice • Lack of qualified and experienced field supervisors and instructors • Lack of partnership between the university, the agency and service users in decision-making regarding field education and the evaluation of student’s fieldwork performance

18. Conclusions (cont.) • Standards with regard to core curricula are not fully complied • Lack of knowledge and courses on methods and fields of Social Work Practice • Standards with regard to professional staff are not met • Lack of professional staff with appropriate qualifications • Lack of equity based policies or preferences, with regard to considerations of gender, ethnicity, disability or any other form of diversity in its recruitment and appointment of staff • Standards with regard to social work students are not fully met • Lack of clear articulation of universities admission criteria and procedures • Lack of assessment of the student’s aptitude and motivation for a career in social work

19. Conclusions (cont.) • Standards with regard to structure, administration, governance and resources are not met • Lack of adequate physical facilities, including classroom space, offices for professional and administrative staff and space for student, faculty and the equipment necessary for the achievement of the school’s core purpose or mission and the program objectives. • Lack of library, online resources , adequate infrastructure ( for people with disabilities) , including classroom space, computers, texts, audio-visual equipment, community resources for fieldwork education • Standards with regard to values and ethical codes of conduct of the social work profession • Lack of registration of professional staff and social work students with national ( statutory or non-statutory) bodies, with defined codes of ethics • Lack of code of SW ethics

20. Thank you for your attention!