Inauguration ceremony of first Master&apos;s Degree in Public Policy Programme for senior civil servants
28.9.2022

The Civil Service College held the inauguration ceremony of the first Master's Degree in Public Policy Programme for senior civil servants jointly with the School of Government of Peking University today (September 28). The ceremony was held at Peking University. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the President of Peking University, Mr Gong Qihuang, addressed the inauguration ceremony. Representatives of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government took part through online access. Mr Lee said, "The civil service is responsible for implementing governance measures of the Government, and senior civil servants in particular have the leadership responsibility in guiding their teams to proactively implement government policies, and work together to achieve good governance for Hong Kong. "President Xi Jinping raised 'four proposals' for Hong Kong in his important speech delivered on July 1. The first proposal is to further improve the governance of Hong Kong, which is also the President's expectation on the civil service. Civil servants must, through continuous learning and training, enhance their sense of national identity and strategic vision, and strengthen their integrated leadership capabilities for enhancing public management, so as to be able to implement the principles of 'patriots administering Hong Kong' and 'responding actively to the aspirations from the people of Hong Kong'." In addressing the ceremony, Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) and Peking University for their strong support for the programme. He also raised three expectations with participants of the inaugural programme. Firstly, to relate their learning with the governance of Hong Kong. Secondly, to deepen their understanding of the country's overall development, and thirdly, to appreciate the international environment from the perspectives of the country and Hong Kong. He sincerely hoped that upon return from their study, the participants can play an active role in building Hong Kong and contributing to the country in their respective areas of work. The HKSAR Government representatives attending the ceremony included the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung; and the Head of the Civil Service College, Mr Oscar Kwok. The Deputy Director-General of the Liaison Department of the HKMAO, Mr Tai Fan; Vice President of Peking University Mr Wang Bo; and the Dean of the School of Government of Peking University, Professor Yan Jirong, also took part through online access as officiating guests of the inauguration ceremony. The Master's Degree in Public Policy Programme, co-organised by the Civil Service Bureau and Peking University, is specifically designed for senior civil servants of high potential. The programme covers four major areas, namely public administration and leadership skills, the country's governance and Hong Kong affairs, global affairs and governance, as well as social studies and field work. The programme lasts for two years. Participants have to attend the programme on a full-time basis at Peking University in the first year. The programme not only broadens the horizons and enhances the expertise of the participants in public administration, but also enables them to gain first-hand experience of the country's development on various fronts through visits to different parts of the Mainland, and provides them with opportunities for exchanges with scholars, officials and other professionals in the relevant fields in the Mainland. Ends/Wednesday, September 28, 2022 Issued at HKT 18:17 NNNN