• Professor Kyoko Otani, Faculty of Social Welfare at Nihon Fukushi University in Japan, visited Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga to share social work knowledge and research

A leading social work Professor from Japan’s Nihon Fukushi University visited Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga as part of an ongoing international partnership between the universities.

Professor Kyoko Otani spent a week in Wagga Wagga in June, during which time she visited the social work discipline at Charles Sturt.

Charles Sturt University and Nihon Fukushi University re-signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in early 2023, signifying a close international partnership to advance research and knowledge.

Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the Charles Sturt School of Social Work and ArtsDr Bernadette Moorhead said she was delighted to host Professor Otani in order to exchange knowledge and continue shared research goals in the areas of study abroad programs and professional identity in social work.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from one another about the social work landscape in each of our countries, building on our own knowledge and being able to advance our own teaching and practice,” Dr Moorhead said.

“Professor Otani’s visit is just one of the many ways our universities are continuing to strengthen our partnership efforts.”

During her visit, Professor Otani engaged in research meetings with Dr Moorhead and other members of the School of Social Work and Arts, including Professor Wendy Bowles and Associate Professor Karen Bell, as well as meeting Lecturer in Healthcare Sciences in the School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences Dr Andreia Schineanu.

She also made multiple site visits to local social work teams in mental health and disability, including at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, to expand her knowledge of social work in Australia and share her own insights on the Japanese social work system.

Dr Moorhead said the mutual exchange builds on previous engagement activities between their respective disciplines.

“I led a study abroad program last year with 10 social work students, where we travelled to Japan and visited Nihon Fukushi University and a number of other local welfare services there,” she said.

“Our Australian students delivered presentations on social work in Australia, while the Japanese students did the same, and this approach is what is central to Kyoko’s program and her site visits in Wagga Wagga.”

Professor Otani also travelled to Charles Sturt in Bathurst during her time in Australia, where she met with Head of School in the Charles Sturt School of Social Work and Arts Professor Sally Totman, School Executive Support Officer Ms Jeanette Cranney, Adjunct Professor Michael Kiernan and Course Director in the School of Psychology Dr Izumi Hiramatsu.

ENDS