Social Work in Asia: Education, Practice, and Service

This book examines the unique challenges, opportunities, and practices of social work across diverse Asian contexts. It bridges the gap in the literature by providing a platform for Asian scholars to share their insights and experiences. The editors have brought together contributions from leading scholars and practitioners, making this book a rich resource for understanding the multifaceted nature of social work in Asia. It delves into the cultural, social, and political factors that shape social work education and practice in the region, offering readers a nuanced understanding of how social workers are trained and how they operate in various contexts.

The book is structured into three main sections -- Social Work Education in Asia, Social Work Practice in Asia, and Social Work Services in Asia -- each providing an in-depth exploration of the region’s distinctive social work landscape. The book offers a detailed account of how social work is taught, practiced, and evolves in response to social needs across different Asian countries. The scope is broad, covering topics such as the development of social work education in rapidly changing environments, the integration of traditional and modern social work practices, and the provision of services to marginalized populations.

Social Work in Asia is particularly important at a time when social work is increasingly recognized as a critical profession for addressing complex social issues in a rapidly globalizing world. The book is a valuable resource for readers in diverse cultural and socioeconomic settings, particularly in Asian contexts, who are interested in the development and future of social work in Asia. It would be of primary interest to academics, researchers, educators and students in social work, as well as practitioners, policymakers, NGO workers in the social services sector and other professionals who are engaged in social work education, practice, and service delivery and are interested in understanding the unique challenges and practices of the profession in Asian countries. It is also a key reference for understanding the evolving role of social work in Asia and would interest anyone looking to explore social

M. Rezaul Islam, PhD is an esteemed academic who currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Public Health and the Director of the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He holds a PhD in Social Sciences, a Master of Social Work from the University of Nottingham, England, and a Master of Social Sciences and Bachelor of Social Sciences in Social Welfare from the University of Dhaka. With 29 years of teaching, research, and academic leadership experience, Professor Islam has made significant international contributions through lectures, training, and collaborations with leading universities including the University of Sydney, University of Cambridge, Boston University, and University of Toronto. His research and teaching adopt a multidisciplinary approach within the social sciences, social work, and public health, and he has authored and edited numerous books, book chapters, and more than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles. In 2025, he was ranked 39th in his sub-discipline (Social Work) and 106,416th globally across all disciplines in the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientist Rankings. He also serves on the International Advisory Board of the Community Development Journal (Oxford University Press) and the Editorial Board of SN Social Sciences (Springer Nature). His academic career reflects a profound commitment to advancing social justice, fostering research excellence, and promoting global academic collaboration.

Adi Fahrudin, PhD is a Professor of Social Work under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, currently seconded to Universitas Esa Unggul, Jakarta (since September 2025). He was Director of the Institute for Research, Community Service, and Publication at Universitas Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya (March 2022-August 2025). He also held academic positions at the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta (2012-2022) and the Bandung College of Social Welfare (1993-2011). Professor Fahrudin holds a Doctorandus degree in Social Work from the Bandung College of Social Welfare (1991), a Master’s (1996) and PhD (1999) in Social Work from Universiti Sains Malaysia, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from PASIM National University, Bandung (2010). He has held visiting professorships and research fellowships internationally including at Japan College of Social Work, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Shukutoku University (Japan), and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (Malaysia). He also serves as an external examiner for several universities worldwide and is actively engaged in international professional associations including the Asia Pacific Association for Social Work Education and the International Association of Schools of Social Work.

Kana Matsuo is a Senior Researcher and Associate Professor at the Asian Research Institute for International Social Work (ARIISW), Shukutoku University, Japan, since April 2020. She was Head Researcher and Assistant Professor at ARIISW from April 2016 to March 2020, and worked as a Social Worker at Matsue Prison from December 2013 to September 2015. Earlier in her career, she was Assistant to the President of the Asia and Pacific Association for Social Work Education (APASWE) from September 2011 to September 2019. Currently, she contributes to the field as a Consultant to the President’s Office of APASWE (since 2019) and as a Resource Person with the International Project Team of HIROGARE Volunteer no Wa Renraku Kaigi. Professor Matsuo has published extensively in international social work, social work education and research in Japan, and the intersection of social work and religion. Her work has made a significant contribution to the development of social work education and practice in Japan, as well as across Asia and the Pacific.