School of Social Work Welcomes Visiting Scholar from Egypt
The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work is pleased to welcome Dr. Elham Masoud, a visiting social work scholar from Helwan University in Ain Helwan, Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Masoud is an assistant professor at Helwan University and teaches the following courses: introduction to social work in English language, basics of casework in English and Arabic, casework in the different fields, the health community and the role of social work, and generalist practice in social work. Since 1993, Dr. Masoud has trained students in how to make field visits and has supervised students in field placements with local social service agencies in Cairo.
"My dream was to travel to America to learn and develop skills in using new research, theories, and technology to assist clients," said Dr. Masoud, who received a fellowship from the Higher Education Ministry in Egypt (General Department of Missions and Cultural Exchange). Last spring, Dr. Masoud met School of Social Work professor Dr. Cal Streeter during an international social work conference held at Helwan University. Dr. Streeter encouraged her to contact the UT Austin School of Social Work Executive Committee and apply for a study abroad placement for the 2007-08 academic year.
Dr. Streeter, who now serves as her faculty sponsor, said, "I am happy to sponsor Dr. Masoud because I believe that if we are going to build a strong international component in our School, we need to bring students from abroad to study and to develop faculty exchanges with universities around the world." Ruth Rubio, a School of Social Work clinical professor, is providing temporary housing for Dr. Masoud, who would like to find a live-in situation with a UT-Austin family until her fellowship ends in June 2008.
Dr. Masoud conducts research on women, family, adolescents, and children. Her dissertation, completed at Helwan University in 2006, examined the social problems resulting from mixed marriages between Egyptian men or women and foreign nationalities. She is also interested in the environment, tourism, crises, violence, and social problems in adoption and how they all relate to the role of social work.
One research project of many that Dr. Masoud would like to undertake while at the School of Social Work is an investigation of American women and how they deal with issues resulting from having lost family members in war. She is also interested in learning more about the activities of the School's Center for Social Work Research (CSWR).
Dr. Masoud attended a research team meeting for the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids, a research project in CSWR led by Dr. Ruth McRoy. Dr. Masoud's observation at the team meeting was a timely one, in that the team is preparing to change roles within the Collaboration. Over the past five years, the research team conducted two longitudinal, nationwide research studies on barriers to adoption from foster care and factors associated with successful adoptive families. From 2007-2012, the research team has been asked to conduct the evaluation of all components of the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids project, which is funded by the U.S. Children's Bureau.
While visiting the University and Austin during the next several months, Dr. Masoud plans to attend conferences, observe and participate in social work classes, volunteer with Hope Alliance in Round Rock and other local agencies, and expand her English language skills through ESL Services in the University's International Office.