Tata Institute of Social Sciences

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) was established in 1936. It was named as
Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work. The first school of social work in India, the TISS was a pioneering effort, characteristic of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT).

The Institute was founded after considering the decision of the Trustees of the SDTT to accept Dr. Clifford Manshardt’s vision of a post-graduate school of social work of national stature that would engage in a continuous study of Indian social issues and problems and impart education in social work to meet the emerging need for trained human power. This subsequently influenced the direction of social work education and social research in India.

Since its inception TISS has been progressing in the field of educational programmes and infrastructure.While responding to the changing needs of the social and educational system in the country, the Institute has gone far beyond the initial concern of social work education. Thus, what started as a small institution offering a post-graduate diploma in Social Work, grew into a Deemed University and, as a result, diversified its activities.

Today, the TISS has earned recognition as an institution of repute from different Ministries of the Government of India, various State Governments, international agencies such as the United Nations, and the non-government sector, both national and international. This is due to the academic freedom leading to a positive work ethos and creativity in the Institute, strong linkages among education, research, field action and dissemination and the social commitment and responsiveness to varying social needs.

During its seven decades of existence, the TISS has carved out a niche for itself in the field of human service professional education and applied social science research. It has simultaneously influenced social policy and social work practice through pioneering innovations and interdisciplinary/inter-professional interactions. It has proven itself to be a centre of excellence, contributing relevant education and research, towards the national agenda of sustainable, pcarticipatory and equitable development.

The Institute is geographically spread over three campuses in Mumbai and Tuljapur, Osmanabad District, Maharashtra.

The Centre for Lifelong Learning

The Centre for Lifelong Learning offers a range of extra-mural and short-term programmes to reach out, in contact and distance modes, to diverse sections of learners who are generally left out of the ambit of higher education. Currently, it offers the Certificate in Social Work programme.

The main objective of the Certificate in Social Work programme is to throw open the doors of professional social work education to those who cannot engage in full-time study. This course was developed in response to the need for more front-line workers to work at direct service delivery levels in social welfare organisations.

This one-year, part-time course programme is conducted by the Centre for Lifelong Education at the Mumbai Campus of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

Contacts

1. The Chairperson,
Centre for Lifelong Learning,
Tata Institute of Social Sciences

2. The Section Officer (STP)
Tata Institute of Social Sciences,
Telephone: 91-22-2556 3289-96, Extn. 252
Fax: 91-22-2556 2912
E-mail: stp@tiss.edu, cfll@tiss.edu