The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, today (August 31) met with university students participating in the Administrative Service Summer Internship Programme to learn about their internship experience. He encouraged them to apply for the Administrative Officer (AO) Grade after graduation.
 
     Mr Nip said that the Administrative Service Summer Internship Programme has been conducted for years. This year, the number of placements has increased to a record high of 85, offering more opportunities for university students who wish to pursue an AO career to better understand the work of AOs and get hands-on experience of working in the Government, thereby facilitating their future career planning.
 
     "AOs play a key role in the Government. They are regularly posted to different bureaux and departments to undertake different areas of work in the Government, including assisting in the formulation of public policies, managing the operations of departments, and co-ordinating and monitoring the implementation of programmes. In addition to the ever-changing social environment in recent years, Hong Kong has been facing unprecedented challenges in particular over the past year. Nevertheless, civil servants, especially AOs, have always played a pivotal role in the Government and in taking forward various government policies," Mr Nip said.
 
     "Every year we see keen competition in the AO recruitment exercise. We received over 12 000 applications last year and finally appointed around 30 AOs. The new round of the AO recruitment exercise will commence in mid-September. I encourage students who are committed to serving the community and the public to actively consider applying for government jobs, including the post of AO, to contribute to society with their knowledge, wisdom and ability."
 
     This year, a total of 85 Hong Kong students studying in local and non-local universities have been posted to 21 government bureaux and departments, taking up duties similar in nature to those of AOs. The participants generally hold the view that the internship programme has enabled them to get hands-on working experience with serving AOs, to see for themselves the Government's operation and the diversity of work of AOs, and to gain a more in-depth understanding of public administration.

Ends/Monday, August 31, 2020
Issued at HKT 18:46

NNNN