Madras School of Social Work - [MSSW]

Madras School of Social Work, established in 1952, located in Chennai, South India, is an Autonomous Institution, NAAC accredited and affiliated to University of Madras. Madras School of Social Work was founded by Mary Clubwala Jadhav under the auspices of Madras State Branch of the Indian Conference of Social Work (renamed the Indian Council of Social Welfare) and the Guild of Service (central). The school is run under the aegis of the Society for Social Education and Research (SSER). Madras School of Social Work is a member of the Association of Schools of Social Work in India and the Asia – Pacific Association of Social Work Education. The School is also affiliated to the International Association of Schools of Social Work. The institution has earned national recognition by securing the 4th position among the top social work colleges in India, highlighting its academic excellence and leadership in the field of Social Work education.

Born in 1908 into a rich Parsi family, Mary Clubwala Jadhav was raised strictly in the traditional way by her mother who taught her the values of caring and sharing. In 1926, she was married to Mr. Nogi Clubwala who encouraged her to involve in social activities. In 1937, Mrs. Mary Clubwala was made as the honorary secretary of the Guild of Service. In 1942, with World War II raging Mrs. Clubwala founded the Indian Hospitality Committee and persuaded women from all communities and walks of life to join in the effort to organise mobile canteens, hospital visits, diversional therapy and entertainment programmes for the army men.The victorious 14th Army presented her a Japanese sword in appreciation of her tremendous efforts. Mrs. Mary Clubwala was called “the Darling of the Army” by General Cariappa! After the War, her focus was once again on the Guild of Service which put down roots for various projects like health centres, bakery units, an adoption centre, family assistance schemes, Meals on Wheels, rural development projects, a school for the deaf, to name just a few.

Mrs. Clubwala’s concern for destitute children was responsible for starting the Seva Samajam Boys’ Home and the Seva Samajam Girls’ Home in Adyar in 1950. In 1954, she helped get started, through the joint efforts of the Guild and the Madras Rotary Club, the Bala Vihar in Kilpauk, a school for mentally challenged children. Perhaps Mrs. Clubwala’s most significant contribution was establishing the Madras School of Social Work in 1952 as the fourth social work institution in India and the first institution in South India. She had been honoured by the International Council of Social Welfare with the “Outstanding Service Award” at Hague in 1972. She has also been awarded the “Padma Shri” by Government of India. On 6 th February 1975, she breathed her last in Bombay after a surgery to fight cancer. Condoling her death, Mrs. Indira Gandhi mentioned that India lost an eminent social worker.

To be a global leader in education, research and intervention in social work and allied disciplines towards transforming the human potential into socially sensitive change agents for sustainable development.

MSSW will create outstanding professionals, who will provide transformational leadership in the community and workplace, through:

We reach out to the unreached Providing care and compassion We touch the untouched With love unmatched We strive for excellence In what we seek Our lives we dedicate To scale high peaks So we shine Bright like the radiant stars Madras School of Social Work Shine like the jewel that you are So shine Our Inspiration limitless Our hearts fearless Marching forward With peace and hope We strive for excellence In what we seek Our lives we dedicate To scale high peaks So we shine Bright like the radiant stars Madras School of Social Work Light up the world with your fire Bright like the radiant stars Madras School of Social Work Shine like the diamond you are And shine

The College has a well-stocked library with around 17,000 books and several journals and periodicals. The Library is fully computerized and renders bar-coded services. Implementing the Selective Dissemination of Information system, the library offers excellent support for students to prepare their assignments and project reports. The Library also offers photocopying facility.

The College has a full-fledged computer center with multimedia computers, internet, and printer facilities. Subject to the rules for each course, students can make use of the centre for e-mail, internet browsing, word processing, creating presentations and data analysis. Students are also given basic orientation in use of Computers and Internet.The campus is fully wi-fi enabled.