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The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Paul Tang, visited the Architectural Services Department this afternoon (September 4) to learn more about the work and services of the department and to take the opportunity to meet staff.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Raymond Wong, and Director of Architectural Services, Mr Leung Koon-kee, Mr Tang first met the directorate staff to gain greater insight into the department's work and challenges as well as its organisational structure.
Listening to Mr Leung's briefing, Mr Tang was glad to learn that the department served the community by enriching the living environment with quality professional services. He noted that the department was committed to ensuring the quality and sustainable development of community facilities and the upkeep of such facilities, as well as providing professional advisory services and promoting best practices in the building industry.
Mr Tang was also pleased to hear that since the introduction of the five-day week arrangement in July 2006 the department's operation had remained smooth and all performance pledges had been met. The arrangement also helped staff maintain a healthy work-life balance and improve the quality of family life.
Mr Tang then proceeded to the Resource Centre set up by the department. The Resource Centre serves as an all-in-one helpdesk with a collection of more than 5,500 books, professional journals and magazines, audio-visual materials and an electronic version of common international standards. He was pleased to see that colleagues had the means to seek inspiration by accessing a wide range of useful information and new design tools.
Mr Tang also visited one of the three Project Management Branches for a briefing by staff on the work of managing government building projects and providing an advisory service to various bureaux and departments. He was also briefed on some recent projects, including the Customs Headquarters Building, ICAC Building, Lo Wu Correctional Institution, Cruise Terminal Building and North Lantau Hospital.
Before concluding his visit, Mr Tang met staff representatives of various grades at a tea reception and listened to their views. He treasured the opportunity of a face-to-face dialogue with them and explained the Government's policies on some of the issues close to their heart. He appreciated colleagues' efforts and encouraged them to maintain their pursuit of service excellence.
After assuming the post of Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Tang has started visiting various departments to take a closer look at their operation and to take the opportunity to meet departmental management and staff representatives to step up mutual communication, enhance staff relations and exchange views on human resources management.
Ends/Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:15
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