Hong Kong Customs has all along attached great importance to staff training with a view to enhancing enforcement effectiveness. As part of the continuous enhancement of its programmes, HKCC conducted a training review in 2019 and integrated new elements, delivered by universities, into the induction programmes starting this year for Inspectors and Customs Officers. Apart from various concepts of criminology, sociology and psychology, the new induction programmes also cover knowledge in conflict management, media relations, public service management, etc, so as to fully enhance Customs officers’ practical foundation training. Officers graduating from the new programmes will be awarded a ”Certificate in Law Enforcement and Customs Management” by the OUHK.

Hong Kong Customs College.

Mr Ellis Lai, Assistant Commissioner (Administration and Human Resource Development) of Customs and Excise (first row, right) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dr Louis Ma, Director of the SCOPE of CityU (first row, left), on June 19 2020. Ms Louise Ho, Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise, (second row, right) and Professor Matthew Lee, Vice-President (Development and External Relations) of CityU (second row, left) witnessed the signing ceremony.

Apart from providing newly recruited Customs officers with more comprehensive training, the new programmes also facilitate them in pursuing continuous learning. The officers concerned will be entitled to credit exemption when pursuing relevant programmes offered by the OUHK and the School of Continuing and Professional Education (SCOPE) of CityU, saving them study time and course fees.

The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang, and the Assistant Commissioner (Administration and Human Resource Development), Mr Ellis Lai, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the President of the OUHK, Professor Wong Yuk-shan, and the Director of the SCOPE of CityU, Dr Louis Ma, on 11 and 19 June 2020 respectively. Mr Tang said, “This cooperation with universities will not only raise the professional standard and academic status of Customs induction programmes, but also facilitate in-service education and encourage lifelong learning, marking another milestone in the departmental staff training development.”

Articulation pathways for degree programmes