The Hong Kong Police College entered into an unprecedented collaboration with the University of Cambridge by launching the first teaching block of the "Master of Studies in Applied Criminology and Police Management" Cohort 2017 from May 22 to 26.

This two-year part-time postgraduate programme, with half of the teaching conducted in Hong Kong and the other half in Cambridge of the United Kingdom, is tailor-made for Hong Kong's current and future law enforcement leaders. A total of 27 officers from the Force, the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) enrolled in the cohort programme.

Deputy Commissioner (Management) Chau Kwok-leung presided over the opening ceremony of the programme on May 22. Also attending the ceremony were the working partners from the Security Bureau, the Correctional Services Department, the C&ED, the Fire Services Department, the ICAC and the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications.

Following the tradition of the University of Cambridge, Director of the Institute of Criminology of the university Professor Lawrence Sherman and Director of the Police Executive Programme Professor Heather Strang hosted a banquet for the students in university gowns at the Aberdeen Campus of the Police College.

Before the banquet, Honorary Adviser of the Police College and ex-Commissioner Mr Lee Ming-kwai gave an inspiring talk to share his lifelong learning journey on how he became a leader to meet the increasingly rigorous challenges. While stressing the significance to put what one has learned into practice, Mr Lee encouraged the students to show commitment to work and take full responsibility as a leader.