Faculty of Social work - Department of Social Planning

Social Planning Department

Department Chair's Message

The Department of Social Planning, as one of the academic departments of the Faculty of Social Work, Helwan University, strives to achieve the vision of the Faculty: ".For the Faculty of Social Work, Helwan University, to be a pioneer and highly ranked regional leader in preparing social workers capable of competing locally, regionally, and globally, contributing to the knowledge society."

In line with this vision, the department adopts a comprehensive research agenda in various fields of social planning that aligns with the needs and challenges of society and addresses contemporary social transformations, contributing to the realization of Egypt Vision 2030.

Recently, the Department of Social Planning has witnessed a remarkable scientific advancement and an unprecedented qualitative leap. This has been reflected in the development of course specifications for the new curricula at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels (credit-hour system), a strong focus on the selection and quality of master's and doctoral research topics, and the distinguished academic supervision of these works. The department has also attracted esteemed scholars and professors from various Egyptian universities and specialized academic institutions to participate in research discussions.

Furthermore, the department has produced outstanding academic publications for students and researchers, and organized the Fourth Scientific Forum for Social Planning Departments and Institutes at Faculties and Institutes of Social Work in Egypt, under the title: "Social Planning and Contemporary Issues." All these achievements have been made possible through the dedicated efforts of the department’s academic staff — a distinguished group of faculty members who actively contribute their expertise in academic, research, and community service fields.

In conclusion, I extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the advancement of the profession in general, and to the development of the Department of Social Planning in particular — especially the leadership of our beloved Faculty, and the faculty members and teaching assistants of the department.

May you always remain under God's protection and care.

Prof. Manal Abdel Sattar Fahmy
Head of the Department of Social Planning

Department Vision

"Towards a social planner that is scientifically and skillfully distinguished and competes locally, regionally, and globally in the labor market."

Department Mission

"To prepare social planners who are competitive in the local and regional labor markets and capable of achieving sustainable development in society. The department also aims to conduct research focused on developing social welfare policies and services, ensuring social protection for marginalized and vulnerable groups. In addition, it seeks to contribute to the elimination of informal settlements in Egypt through evidence-based planning, and to equip graduates with the ability to design and evaluate social programs and projects that address national challenges."

Department Objectives

The Social Planning Department seeks to achieve three main objectives:

The first objective: Developing education and training in the field of social planning in line with the latest developments in digital transformation.

This objective can be achieved through the following mechanisms:

Developing curricula, educational programs, and teaching methods for social planning courses (undergraduate and graduate) in line with the latest developments in digital transformation and sustainable development.
Continuously updating academic content in accordance with the requirements of the local and regional labor market.
Building and developing the capacities of faculty members and support staff in the latest specializations and practices in social planning, including the use of technology in education and training.
Supporting the active participation of students in interactive educational and training activities.
Preparing qualified graduates who possess the necessary skills and knowledge in the fields of social planning and development, and who are able to contribute effectively to the design, implementation, and evaluation of development policies, programs, and projects.

The second objective: Supporting scientific research in the field of social planning and social policy.

This goal can be achieved through the following mechanisms:

Preparing a research plan for the department linked to national development priorities and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Encouraging research addressing social planning issues in the Egyptian and Arab contexts.
Promoting the publication of research in peer-reviewed scientific journals at the local and international levels.
Enhancing cooperation in interdisciplinary research with other disciplines to serve scientific issues in the field of social planning.
Focusing on applied research related to community service, by developing practical and sustainable solutions to social problems, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of development policies and plans.

Third Goal: Enhancing the role of the Social Planning Department in serving community and development issues:

This goal can be achieved through the following mechanisms:

Building strategic partnerships with government institutions and civil society organizations working in development fields.
Designing research and training projects that contribute to addressing priority societal issues.
Providing technical consultations in the areas of preparing, implementing, and evaluating medium- and short-term social development plans.
Organizing scientific and community forums to discuss social planning and policy issues and raise community awareness.
Enhancing scientific cooperation with social planning departments in social work colleges and institutes, contributing to the development of the specialty, the exchange of expertise, and informing researchers and interested parties of recent developments in the field of social planning.

Faculty Members

Department of Social Planning

The department's research plan

The department's research plan

The research plan's topics are as follows:

1. Social investment and social plans and programs.

2. Building a model for analyzing social welfare policies.

3. Building a model for analyzing social welfare plans.

4. Evaluating social welfare strategies.

5. Social planning strategies.

6. Sustainable development strategies.

7. Human capital management in the knowledge age.

8. Strategic planning and competitive advantage.

9. Innovative digitization.

10. Digital citizenship.

11. Leadership planning competencies.

12. Effectiveness of national projects.

13. Economic and social returns.

14. Environmental governance.

15. Institutional agility.

16. Environmental citizenship.

17. Private sector social responsibility.

18. Intellectual capital.

19. Social planning and environmental issues.

20. Crisis, disaster, and risk management in the context of informatics.

21. Social Care Plans and Programs in Light of Quality Standards.

22. Building Models for Evaluating Plans and Programs.

23. Evaluating Social Care Policies.

24. Social Justice.

25. Planning Maps.

26. Planning Decision-Making.

27. Social Rights and Eligibility Criteria.

28. Planning Agencies in the Age of Digitization.

29. Professional Development for Social Planners.

30. Virtual Communities and Egyptian Community Issues.

31. Social Work Priorities Under Current Circumstances.

32. Social Protection Plans and Programs.

33. Building Models for Assessing Community Needs.

34. Investment Policies in the Field of Social Care Plans.

35. Developing Development Strategies.

36. The Social Dimension and Building Fourth-Generation Cities.

37. International Organizations and Social Care Policies.

38. Social Planning and Quality of Life.

39. Social planning and entrepreneurship.