President To Lam Visits Royal University of Phnom Penh

During the State visit to Cambodia, President To Lam and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation visited the Royal University of Phnom Penh on July 13. On this occasion, FPT Corporation donated 50 FPT Elead computer sets to the university. This gesture aims to provide Cambodia's youth with the latest technology and knowledge while strengthening the friendly relations between Vietnam and Cambodia.

President To Lam Visits Royal University of Phnom Penh. Photo: Nhan Sang/TTXVN

Founded in 1960 as Khemara Phumin University (Université Royale Khmère), the Royal University of Phnom Penh is Cambodia's oldest and largest university. It was reopened in 1980 and initially offered foreign language programs in Spanish, German, and Russian. In 1981, the University of Foreign Languages was established, introducing Vietnamese language training with Vietnamese lecturers. Since 1996, the institution has been officially known as the Royal University of Phnom Penh and currently enrolls over 20,000 students.

As part of the higher education cooperation program between Vietnam and Cambodia for 2001-2025, Cambodia has announced the establishment of the Institute of International Studies and Policy at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. This institute will include a Department of Vietnamese Studies to enhance the cooperation between the two countries. The plan is to train Cambodian students in Vietnamese at the Department of Vietnamese Studies before they can study in Vietnam.

During the meeting, President To Lam expressed gratitude to the leaders, lecturers, and students of the Royal University of Phnom Penh for their warm reception and the respectful welcome extended to the Vietnamese delegation.

President To Lam addressed the audience at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Photo: Nhan Sang/TTXVN

The President commended the Royal University of Phnom Penh for its significant achievements, highlighting that many of its graduates have become distinguished intellectuals, writers, poets, and renowned researchers. He emphasized that the university has contributed vital human resources to the ongoing development of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Emphasizing that education and training are crucial for success and a critical national policy in socio-economic development, the President highlighted their role in enhancing material and spiritual well-being. He noted that Vietnam and Cambodia, having endured many hardships and wars to protect their national independence and overcome the aftermath of conflict, deeply understand the value of education. He stressed that both nations could achieve the peaceful, stable, and developed lives they enjoy today through dedicated study and national building efforts.

The President expressed his delight in witnessing Cambodia's continuous transformation and the ever-growing comprehensive cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia. He noted that the field of education and training, highly valued by both nations' leaders, governments, and ministries, stands out as a significant highlight in the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Quoting President Ho Chi Minh's wisdom, "For the sake of ten years, we must plant trees; for the sake of 100 years, we must cultivate people," the President underscored the vital role of education and talent development as a top national priority. He highlighted that in discussions, the senior leaders of both nations consistently emphasize that advancing cooperation in human resource development is crucial for each country's growth and for strengthening the enduring friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.

The President expressed his enthusiasm about the Royal University of Phnom Penh's collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City National University to establish the Center for Vietnamese Language and Vietnamese Studies. He hopes this center will become a nurturing ground for Cambodian and international students to learn about and appreciate the Vietnamese language, culture, and people.

The President also expressed gratitude to the lecturers of the Royal University of Phnom Penh for their dedication to teaching and mentoring Vietnamese students specializing in Khmer. He noted that many of these students have played a key role in strengthening the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Given the rapid advancement of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Artificial Intelligence technologies, which present new challenges to the education sector, the President expressed a desire for the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia, and the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam to enhance their collaboration. He encouraged both ministries to coordinate research, develop rich and practical cooperative programs, and exchange experiences to further improve cooperation's effectiveness in education, training, and vocational training. He also suggested that the Royal University of Phnom Penh should strengthen partnerships with Vietnamese universities to share experiences and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

The President stated that Vietnam warmly welcomes Cambodian students, including those from the Royal University of Phnom Penh to study and conduct research in Vietnam.

President To Lam presented a gift to Phnom Penh Royal University. Photo: Nhan Sang/TTXVN

The President expressed confidence that future generations of students from both countries will play a central role in continuing to write the positive history of solidarity, friendship, and enduring cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

On this occasion, FPT Corporation donated 50 FPT Elead computer sets to the university. This gesture aims to provide Cambodia's youth with the latest technology and knowledge while strengthening the friendly relations between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/chu-tich-nuoc-to-lam-tham-dai-hoc-tong-hop-hoang-gia-phnom-penh-20240713173827382.htm