On June 18, students and lecturers from the Sociology Department at the Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK) in Rwanda held a video conference with their counterparts from various campuses in Germany, particularly those from the Catholic University of Applied Sciences.
This meeting focused on the similarities, differences, and challenges in social work practices between the two countries.
The conference was part of an ongoing partnership between the two universities that began in October 2022. This collaboration aims to foster long-term cooperation, mutual learning, regular communication, and exchange programs. As part of the partnership, the universities have agreed to organize joint teaching sessions, both online and in-person, as well as student exchanges and collaborative research projects.
During the online session, students from both institutions discussed how social welfare is structured and delivered in Rwanda and Germany. They explored the role of the state, traditional practices, and organizational frameworks for social services in each country.
Felix Manuel Nuss from the Catholic University of Applied Sciences and Dr. Marie-Paul Dusingize from ICK led discussions on the practical aspects of social work, its historical foundations, and the current systems in place in Rwanda and Germany. They also examined the role of government in social work in each country.
The session included breakout groups where students from Rwanda and Germany shared perspectives on core issues such as:
- Analyzing the similarities and differences between Rwandan and German social work approaches.
- Identifying present-day social challenges in each nation.
- Proposing improvements to social welfare systems.
- Discussing future fields of practice and theoretical frameworks.
This online exchange provided a valuable opportunity for cross-cultural dialogue and bilateral learning about the real-world contexts and philosophies shaping social work in the two nations.
The Catholic University of Applied Sciences North Rhine-Westphalia, founded in 1971, is Germany’s largest state-accredited Catholic university. It has campuses in Aachen, Cologne, Münster, and Paderborn, and offers 16-degree programs to 5,491 students.
Meanwhile, the two-campuses ICK in Muhanga Town, established in 2002, offers 12 bachelor’s programs, six Advanced Diploma programs, and one postgraduate diploma.