• A Charles Sturt University online Customs student and UK Customs official has received a prestigious award - an MBE in recognition of his work
• The MBE was presented by Princess Anne at Windsor Castle in late September
• Study with the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies at Charles Sturt has broadened his understanding of how Customs is implemented across the globe

A Charles Sturt University student and career Customs official in the United Kingdom (UK) has been awarded for his work in HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Mr Syed Moinuddin (pictured) received an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in recognition of his work in relation to negotiating new cooperation frameworks, relationships and international capacity building in the field of Customs.

The MBE was presented to him by Princess Anne at Windsor Castle on Wednesday 27 September.

Mr Moinuddin is completing a Master of Customs Administration online through  the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies at Charles Sturt and is a Customs Cooperation Senior Policy Adviser in the Customs Bilateral Relations and Agreements team in Customs International, Borders and Trade, HMRC.

Mr Moinuddin said it was a very special day for him.

“I have had to explain to people that it is not a long-term service award although it has coincided with working 25 years in a tax and customs authority,” Mr Moinuddin.

“I feel like I have found my niche, my calling, and that the MBE is recognition of my passion and commitment to promote the understanding of the role of Customs, domestically and internationally, through a ‘Working Together’ mindset.

“Over the years, I have done as much listening as talking, whether with colleagues across the department, across government, with the private sector or with overseas customs authorities.

“The Centre for Customs and Excise Studies has added structure to my learning and experiences, expanded my network with students who share the same passion, and has broadened my understanding of how customs is implemented across the globe.”

Professor David Widdowson, AM, Head of School of the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies at Charles Sturt, congratulated Mr Moinuddin for being recognised in such a significant way.

“It is a true testament to his commitment to the Customs profession,” Professor Widdowson said.

“We trust that his World Customs Organization-accredited studies with Charles Sturt University will assist him to further his international capacity-building activities and his professional ambitions.”

Mr Moinuddin was nominated by HMRC in recognition of his passion in promoting the work of Customs internationally, including in his role working with overseas customs authorities in negotiating customs mutual assistance agreements to combat customs fraud and influencing international standards on trade facilitation in the World Customs Organization (WCO).

His nomination also highlighted Mr Moinuddin’s commitment to continuous professional learning (demonstrated as a part time-student in the Master of Customs Administration), sharing knowledge on good practices and insights, and supporting developing customs authorities to modernise their administrations through his role as an accredited WCO customs modernisation adviser.