Global Customers for UC courses on customs
The University of Canberra has opened the world's first Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, already developing an international reputation as an exporter of training programs. The centre, at the new University of Canberra Innovation Centre, was officially opened yesterday by the chairman of the World Customs Organisation Council, Pravin Gordhan. The centre's chief executive officer Dr David Widdowson, said the centre was growing rapidly. "Every country has a customs service, and customs and excise practices are becoming more uniform throughout the world," he said. "The centre provides current and future managers with the skills necessary to meet the demands of the dynamic global economy." The centre recently took out the 2004 Chief Minister's Export Award for outstanding export achievement in services, and secured a $150,000 ACT Knowledge Fund Commercialisation Grant to assist in the development of its global web-based customs training education program. Dr Widdowson said the centre was designing all its postgraduate and vocational programs for delivery via the Internet, and this had greatly enhanced the attractiveness of the product. The online service assisted students around the globe, as well as Australian students outside Canberra. The first online course attracted students from Australasia, Asia, the Pacific, Africa and North America. "The centre teams with international course writers who are the best in their field," Dr Widdowson said. Reproduced by permission from The Canberra Times 30 September 2004.
The new purpose-built premises of the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies was officially opened at the University of Canberra on 29 September 2004 by the Chair of the World Customs Organization Council, Mr Pravin Gordhan.
The first centre of its kind in the world, the Centre provides a comprehensive range of postgraduate and vocational training programs which have a high degree of international relevance and uniqueness, and which reflect the latest developments in international theory and practice in the field of customs management. These programs utilise a range of flexible learning methods and are capable of being delivered online as well as through face-to-face delivery, either on campus in Canberra or overseas. The Centre offers postgraduate study opportunities at the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters levels, as well as opportunities for students to study doctorates in Customs-related areas.
In addition, the Centre''s vocational training programs are capable of being tailored to suit the specific requirements of the client administration. Over thirty such programs are either currently being offered or are in various stages of development, all of which reflect world best practice in customs management and operational techniques.These programs cover a broad range of customs technical subjects as well as management and leadership issues, legal topics, commercial practice, and contemporary issues such as international supply chain security and new and emerging technologies. The Centre is also involved in an extensive program of high-level international consultancy, advisory services and applied research activities relating to customs management, practice, reform and modernisation.
The official opening was attended by representatives from 23 International Organizations, including the World Customs Organization, the Association of South East Asian Nations and the Customs Administrations of Australia, China, Fiji Islands, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam.
Further information may be obtained by visiting the Centre's website, www.customscentre.canberra.edu.au, or by emailing the CEO of the Centre, Dr David Widdowson, on .
Dr David Widdowson
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