• Charles Sturt University has collaborated with CARIFORUM to deliver a postgraduate scholarship program
• The program offers eight scholarships to complete a Graduate Certificate in Customs Administration through the University’s Centre for Customs and Excise Studies
• Successful participants are from various CARIFORUM states, including Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica and Jamaica

Charles Sturt University is collaborating with the Caribbean Forum to deliver a new postgraduate scholarship program focused on customs administration.

The CARIFORUM Capacity Building in Competition, Public Procurement, and Customs and Trade Facilitation Project is collaborating with the University’s Centre for Customs and Excise Studies (CCES) to facilitate eight European Union-funded Graduate Certificates in Customs Administration.

The scholarship recipients come from diverse backgrounds, representing the various CARIFORUM States, including Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica and Jamaica.

Centre for Customs and Excise Studies Head of School Professor David Widdowson, AM (pictured, inset), said the collaboration would help strengthen and promote positive economic relations between the CARIFORUM states and the European Union through the next generation of customs experts.

“Our Centre is thrilled to be able to help provide customs professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in the field of customs and border management through our course accredited by the World Customs Organization,” Professor Widdowson said.

“Once these scholars have completed the program, they will go on to perform crucial roles in shaping customs regimes within CARIFORUM, as well as enhancing and implementing contemporary policies and practices in cross-border trade management.”

The scholarships will cover the cost of tuition and essential course materials, funded by the European Union under its program to support CARIFORUM Member States in furthering the implementation of their Economic Partnership Agreement commitments and in meaningfully reaping the benefits of the Agreement.

Participants will be trained in international customs law, key features of customs management in the contemporary globalised world, the role and responsibilities of customs policy and practice, strategic and operational management issues, risk management in the customs context, and international trends that impact customs such as social expectations, emerging technologies and the global economy.

The program commenced in March 2024 with an anticipated completion date of January 2025.

CARIFORUM, or The Caribbean Forum, is a subgroup of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States serving as a base for economic dialogue with the European Union.

ENDS