Record Participation at Testing and Certification Manpower Development Awards Ceremony 2025-26 in Hong Kong

Testing and Certification Manpower Development Award Scheme 2025-26 commends outstanding awardees

Organised by the Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC) with full support from the Innovation and Technology Commission, the Testing and Certification Manpower Development Award Scheme 2025-26 award presentation ceremony was held today (February 6). Each awardee from testing and certification (T&C) bodies and practitioners was presented with a trophy and an award certificate at the event, which was attended by over 200 industry representatives, guests and awardees.

The Award Scheme is a biennial flagship event for the local T&C industry. This year, both applications and awardees reached record highs, reflecting the industry's support for and acknowledgement of the importance of manpower development. A total of 71 awards were presented to 46 outstanding T&C bodies in talent training and professional development, and 25 T&C practitioners in recognition of their striving for continuous learning and commitment to service excellence.

The Chairman of the HKCTC, Professor Wong Wing-tak, highlighted that talent was a vital asset for the sustainable development of the industry. The Award Scheme fully demonstrated the industry's commitment to nurturing talent and showcased the rich pool of talent in the T&C industry. The success of the industry depended on the participation and collaboration of its practitioners to build a better society.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, spoke highly of the T&C industry's contributions to Hong Kong's economy and innovation and technology development. He said that the professional integrity of the T&C industry has forged the prestigious brand of "Tested in Hong Kong, Certified in Hong Kong". It plays a key role in supporting the development of Hong Kong's trade, industrial, and other service sectors. He said he hopes the industry will continue to contribute its professional expertise to the development of Hong Kong and the country.

Since its first launch in 2021, the Award Scheme includes two categories of awards - the Testing and Certification Manpower Development Corporate Award and the Excellent Testing and Certification Professional Award. There are two tiers of awards, i.e. the Platinum Award and the Gold Award under the Corporate Award category. As regards the Professional Award category, it encompasses two sub-groups of the Senior Professional and Junior Professional respectively.

The Award Scheme has received tremendous support from the T&C industry as well as different stakeholders. The 19 supporting organisations are the Association of Construction Materials Laboratories; BEAM Society Limited; the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Department of Chemistry); City University of Hong Kong (Department of Chemistry); the Consumer Council; the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce; the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology); the Gemmological Association of Hong Kong; the Hong Kong Association of Medical Laboratories; the Hong Kong Association for Testing, Inspection and Certification; the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; the Hong Kong Institution of Certified Auditors; the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers - Materials Division; Hong Kong Metropolitan University (School of Science and Technology); Hong Kong Society for Quality; the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; the Qualifications Framework Secretariat; the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences; and the Vocational Training Council.

Applications received for the two categories of awards were respectively assessed (including conducting interviews with applicants for the Professional Award) by two independent Assessment Panels, which comprised members from academia, public bodies and industrial associations, to decide on the awardees. The lists of awardees are available on HKCTC website (www.hkctc.gov.hk/en/events-promotion/award-scheme2526).

Testing and Certification Manpower Development Award Scheme 2025-26 commends outstanding awardees Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Testing and Certification Manpower Development Award Scheme 2025-26 commends outstanding awardees Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Testing and Certification Manpower Development Award Scheme 2025-26 commends outstanding awardees Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Testing and Certification Manpower Development Award Scheme 2025-26 commends outstanding awardees Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chairman of the HKCTC, Professor Wong Wing-tak, Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Testing and Certification Manpower Development Award Scheme 2025-26 commends outstanding awardees Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases