The Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme, first launched by the Civil Service Bureau in 1999, aims at promoting a citizen-centric quality service culture within the civil service. Apart from recognising the achievements of winning departments and teams in the provision of outstanding service, the Scheme also inspires other departments and fellow civil servants to emulate the best practices of the awardees and to strive for continuous improvement.
The 2007 Awards attracted 129 entries from 49 bureaux and departments. After a fair and rigorous adjudication process, the winners were announced in yesterday's award presentation ceremony. With the Chief Executive as the Guest of Honour, the event was attended by over 500 civil servants who celebrated colleagues' outstanding achievements. As the Chief Executive pointed out in his address, to deliver outstanding service, we must have a keen sense of perceptiveness, a spirit of persistence and the courage to challenge established practices. He commended the winning teams not only for possessing these qualities, but also in serving as models of outstanding service for the whole civil service.
The civil service's "pursuit of excellence" is recognised by the community. The Hon LI Fung-ying, chairperson of two of the adjudicating panels for the 2007 Awards, spoke highly of the outstanding achievements of the participating teams. She observed that Hong Kong should rightfully be proud of having a civil service that is dedicated to providing quality service to the community.
The pursuit of service excellence is an ongoing endeavour. The key to success lies in a relentless search for new ideas and a determination to scale new heights. I am confident the Award Scheme will inspire civil servant colleagues to examine their established modes of operation and, where justified, adopt more innovative and efficient ways to serve the people of Hong Kong.
Highlights of the award presentation ceremony and the outstanding performance of the awardees will be broadcast at 7:00 pm on 23 and 30 September on TVB Jade. Do join us in celebrating the quality service achievements of the civil service and sharing the happy moments of the winning teams and departments.
With warm regards.