Introduction:

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 6 December

1956), popularly known as Babasaheb, was an Indian jurist,
economist, politician and social reformer who Chaired the
Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly and was
India's First Minister for Law and Justice. As an idealist
thinker, he emphasized upon the nobility and fairness of the
methods in social and political reconstruction.Dr. B R
Ambedkar has included revolutionary concepts such as sovereign, socialistic, secular, democratic, republic, justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, dignity, unity and integrity in the
preamble of the Indian Constitution.Dr. B R Ambedkars
commitment and dedication to service and justice has made
an exceptional model for the social sciences profession.
Dr. B R Ambedkars principals and practices are harmonized remarkably with the principals and techniques of professional social work. His ethical theory primarily focuses
on service to others and social justice. A number of scholars
are of the opinion that Dr. B R Ambedkars work is something of a reaffirmation of the basic tenet of social work
philosophy that man is an object of infinite worth and
there exists compatibility between the philosophy of Dr. B
R Ambedkar and the values underlying Social Sciences. The
principal element of Dr. B R Ambedkars significance lies in
framing of the Indian Constitution as the Chair person of
the drafting committee of the constitution which aimed at
changing the very basis of the whole social and economic
order by his inclusion of concerns for racial, gender and
class justice, empowerment of people, overcoming of poverty and development of a culture that promotes a healthy
human development. This developments and empowerment approaches in social work with its emphasis on social

behavior. This strikes a similarity with Social Sciences.

Dr. B R Ambedkars idea of social work is basically concerned with the reconstruction of society based on Social
Justice and Human Rights and with welfare, development
and empowerment of all, the last and the lowest, as it end.
Its objective would naturally be to find out the basic

causes and conditions out of which arise all social problems.

Hence, B R Ambedkars thoughts as a guide for service to
others and the pursuit of social justice are complementary to
social work practice and theory.
However, Social work scholars and practitioners have given
limited attention to the Dr. B R Ambedkars principles as a
source of theory building. Hence there is a need to revisit,
relearn and reconstruct Dr. B R Ambedkars thought as it
offers a rich depository of knowledge for study and exploration by the social work practitioners and theorists.
Keeping this framework in mind, Faculty of Social Work
has organized a National Seminar on 6-7 December 2016
under the ages of Dr. B R Ambedkars chair sponsored by
Government of India. The event is funded by Dr.B.R
Ambedkars Chair, Faculty of Social Work, The Maharaja
Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara.
Faculty of Social Work:
The Faculty of Social Work, Baroda owes its origin to the
progressive outlook and vision of the first Vice Chancellor
of M. S. University, Smt. Hansa Mehta. Though, chronologically it was the third institution imparting social work education in India, it happens to be the very first institute to
have gained a faculty status. Established on March 15, 1950,
the Faculty made a modest beginning as the Baroda School
of Social Work (in 1951, elevated to the faculty status) in the
White Pavilion building in Sayajibaug.
The Faculty commits itself towards establishing strategic
networks for University-Industry-Community Interface for
better exposure and meaningful education. The Faculty with
its generic base offers a unique model of Social Work &
HRM. The Faculty provides leadership and guidance in Social Work and Human Resource Management through its
extensive Research, Consultancy, Field Work and Extension
Work and join hands wherever necessary with Campus

Agencies

About Dr.B.R.Ambedkar's Chair:

Dr.B.R.Ambedkars chair is serving as Centre of learning
and research not only subjects concerning
Dr.Ambedkars Works and Philosophy, but also on the
issues concerning the socio-economic and cultural life of
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Minorities, Backward Classes and other Weaker Sections of the Society.
The Center is undertaking research for understanding and
disseminating the ideas of Dr. B. R.Ambedkar through
organizing Seminars, Symposia, Workshops and other
similar academic activities.

Objectives:

To relearn Dr. B. R Ambedkars thoughts and

ideologies from social work perspectives.
To explore the relevance of Dr. B R Ambedkars
ideologies in the contemporary society.
To create linkages of Dr. Ambedkars thoughts
for the reconstruction of the society for mainstreaming marginalized Community.
To deliberate Dr.Ambedkars thoughts and values, approach for a sustainable development
goals.
To understand Dr.Ambedkars journey of development and Vadodara connection.
Suggested themes:
1. Dr.B.R.Ambedkars thoughts and Social Sciences
professions in context to modern perspectives.
2. Social Work through the vision of Dr.B R
Ambedkar-an egalitarian approach.
3. Empowerment as a developmental tool viewed
by Dr.Ambedkar.
4. Social work based on rights perspective and Indian constitution by Dr.Ambedkar.
5. Dr. B R Ambedkars thoughts on Equal Opportunities and Protective Discrimination.
6. Dalit movements in India Dr. B.R.Amberkars
Views.
7. Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III as mentor of Dr.
B.R.Ambedkar
8. Baroda as Sankalp Bhoomi for Dr.
B.R.Ambedkar.