Bachelor of Science in Medical Social Work students from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) participated in an engaging Kenya–Israel Social Work Symposium held on Friday, 16 January 2025, at the University of Nairobi.

The symposium, themed “Strengthening Global Partnerships in Social Work Education and Practice: Kenya–Israeli Social Work Connections,” brought together students, educators, and practitioners to explore opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional networking.

The forum also hosted 20 delegates from the Israeli Union of Social Workers, who were in Kenya for a benchmarking engagement with their Kenyan counterparts.

The discussions highlighted the historical and contemporary ties between Kenya and Israel in the field of social work, noting that social work was introduced in Kenya in 1962 with support from the Israeli government, prior to independence. Participants examined how universities can serve as agents of social development and social transformation through education, policy engagement, and practice.

The symposium featured two keynote presentations on the state of social work education and practice in Kenya and Israel, delivered by Prof. Gidraph Wairire and Ms Inbal Hermoni, respectively. In addition, the programme included panel discussions with representatives from the Israeli Union of Social Workers, as well as a roundtable session on social work legislation, led by officials of the Kenya National Association of Social Workers and the Association of Social Work Educators in Kenya.

Speaking on the significance of the forum, Dr Wilkins Muhingi, Programme Coordinator in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at JKUAT, noted that the symposium provided valuable exposure for JKUAT students.

He observed that the students gained insights into best practices and diverse applications of social work in Israel, while also engaging in discussions on the evolving state of the profession in Kenya. He further highlighted the growing trend towards specialization, including JKUAT’s focus on Medical Social Work.

The JKUAT students were joined by peers and faculty from the University of Nairobi, the Technical University of Kenya and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

The event was graced by His Excellency Gideon Behar, Ambassador of Israel to Kenya, among other distinguished guests.