Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip today met non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) students participating in a government internship programme to learn about their experience.

Mr Nip encouraged the NEC students to fully equip themselves to meet the challenges ahead before entering the job market.

He also expressed hope that by participating in the programme, the students can gain a better understanding of the Government's delivery of public services to NEC people in different areas.

In light of the positive feedback on last year’s pilot internship programme, the Civil Service Bureau invited more local higher education institutions to take part in the programme this year and doubled the number of internship placements.

A total of 30 NEC students were posted to various government bureaus and departments for internships lasting around eight weeks.

One of the interns, Rukayya Bibi, was sent to the Social Welfare Department’s Medical Social Services Unit in Tuen Mun Hospital to help handle medical fee waiver applications by non-refoulement claimants.

Another intern, Sujasna Tamang, was posted to the Census & Statistics Department’s Census Planning Section to proofread the translation of the 2021 Population Census website and publicity materials in NEC languages.

Janam Patel, an intern in the Trade & Industry Department’s Europe Division, was tasked to assist in compiling trade statistics relating to Hong Kong and European countries and collecting data on economic and trade issues.

The three interns said they think the Government's ongoing review of the Chinese language proficiency requirements for all civil service grades would help to provide more opportunities for NEC people to join the Government to serve the community.