President’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Administrative Services 2016/17

The President’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Administrative Services was established to recognise and reward University staff members for their exemplary performance in administration by demonstrating outstanding performance; promoting positive morale through a congenial, supportive attitude and by providing service to other stakeholders of the University community; seeking continuous self-improvement as well as developing and recognising others; exhibiting initiative and creativity resulting in improved operating efficiency and/or available resources of the Department and/or University; and enhancing the image and impact of the Department and/or University. The Department of Asian and Policy Studies (APS) Administrative Team is the ‘bridge’ between the Department and the rest of the university community. Every member of the Departmental Administrative Support Team of APS shares a common goal: to complete every work project in a professional manner and to walk the extra mile to achieve the Department’s goals. The Administrative Team continuously strives to stay connected to both students and alumni of the Department, both in and out of work. Students continuously seek advice from the Administrative Team via channels such as Facebook and WeChat during work hours and off-hours. Informal reunions are organised between current students and alumni, which develops a sense of belonging among the students and alumni that extends beyond graduation. To establish close relationships with the students, the Team has gone the extra mile to complete the Mental Health First Aid Training programme, with the aim of increasing mental health literacy, reducing the stigmatisation of mental health problems, facilitating early detection of students’ mental health problems and handling mental health crises prior to professional intervention. The new knowledge and skill sets play a crucial role in preventing and resolving crisis by allowing the Administrative Team to identify, provide reassurance and keep in close contact with students with special needs. They are also in regular contact with counsellors to keep problems from deteriorating before the students receive professional therapy. In addition to their normal responsibilities, the Administrative Team members use their personal networks to secure internship placements for students in both the BSocScEd (GCS) and MPPG programmes. To enhance student learning experiences and inspire students to be innovative global change makers, the Team actively organises activities related to social innovation. The Departmental Administrative Team of APS is committed to providing students, faculty and guests with excellent support and high quality services. On their boundless quest for excellence, the APS Team continues to develop connections that will further ‘bridge’ the Department, not only to the university community but to society as a whole.