The first qualifying examination for the social work profession in the Mainland China took place at Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong on 11 June. For the first time, social workers were being qualified according to China's National Standard of Occupation. 57 social work graduates from Sun Yat-sen University, Hwa Nan Agricultural University and Guangdong Commercial College sat for the examination comprised of written test and small groups interview. A candidate who passed both parts would be granted the license (third class) of a social worker of National Standard.

In order to ensure the qualification is of high profile, authoritative and able to match up with international standards, social work specialists from Hong Kong and Guangchow were invited to form a high standard examiners group. Our Chief Executive, Mr.Ng Shui Lai, the Head of our Mainland China Social Service Project and some personnel from another non-government organization in Hong Kong were among the group invited.

HKCS had been actively involved in the development of national social welfare all these years. We enabled social work programs, organized workshops and provided placement supervision in two of the afore-mentioned colleges. We are indeed excited about this historical moment regarding the social work occupation in Mainland China.