The Landmark Opening of Chinese-Australian Social Work Research Center (CASWRC) was successfully held at the 1st floor of Yifu International Center of CCNU in the afternoon of December 1st, 2015. Vice President Li Xiangnong, Director of Social Science Research Office He Jing, Dean of School of Sociology Darrell Irwin, Executive Vice Dean Jiang Lihua, Vice Dean Wan Rende, Head of School of Human Services and Social Work of Griffith University Lynne Briggs, Professor Patrick O'Leary, Director of Organization and Communication Office of Hubei Provincial Disabled Persons Association Jiang Chuanming, Australia Education Management Group Program Manager of CCNU Wang Hui attended the opening along with other faculty and students from School of Sociology of CCNU.

Vice President Li Xiangnong said in his speech that the opening of CASWRC is the result of CCNU's "One body, two wings (internationalization and informatization)" developmental strategy, and he hoped that the center can further enhance the social work research ability of CCNU, and contribute to the development of social work profession in Hubei and China.  

Vice Chancellor Ian O’Connor sent his congratulations for the center through a video message he recorded beforehand. In the video he said the center demonstrated the strong partnership between social workers in China and Australia and allowed the sharing of knowledge and perspective of social work. The center will build a research exchange between two schools and universities, especially with the fast growth of social work in China.

Dean Darrell Irwin gave a brief account of the previous success of collaboration between CCNU and Griffith, and introduced the background and foundation for the establishment of the Chinese Australian Social Work Research Center. He also introduced some of the center’s initial research directions and the blueprint for the future of the center.

Prof. Lynne Briggs briefly introduced the social work education in Australia, and looked back the previous cooperation and exchange between the two schools, especially in the joint social work program. Prof. Briggs also shared some of the primary aims of the center.

Toward the end of the opening, Wang Hui donated the 10,000 AUD to the center on behalf of Australia Education Management Group, and the Griffith faculty who visited and taught at CCNU in November also sent their congratulations through a video clip.

After the opening ceremony, Prof. Patrick O’ Leary gave a lecture entitled “International Social Work: China and Australia Building Community Hope and Strength” for the guests and students from CCNU. Prof. O’Leary will also act as the Deputy Director of the Chinese Australian Social Work Center.