Erasmus+ Info Session in Cambodia Fosters Collaboration and Expands Opportunities for Higher Education

The Second Erasmus+ Information Session for Cambodia, held on 26th July 2024 at the University of Heng Samrin Tboung Khmum (UHST) in Tbong Khmum Province, was a great success. This event brought together 270 participants from Directorate General of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the Delegation of the European Union to Cambodia, and four public and four private higher education institutions (HEIs), building a spirit of cooperation and knowledge sharing. This 2nd Info Session was held in hybrid format that allowed both face-to-face and online participation via Zoom.

The event began with the welcoming remarks by His excellency PIN Vannaro, Rector of the University of Heng Samrin Thboung Khmum (UHST), and Mr. Bryan FORNARI, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation gave the meaningful speeches emphasize the importance of the Erasmus program, and highly commended with the keynote remarks by His excellency Dr. SOM Ratana, un-secretary of state of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and the Erasmus+ National Focal Point (ENFP) of Cambodia. 

This event has drawn significant attention from the EU Delegation to Cambodia and higher education institutions. This leads to the successful result of Cambodian applications to the Erasmus+ Programme in 2024 and the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degrees scholarship for Cambodian students for a two-year fully funded grant leading to an internationally-recognized degree, jointly awarded by several top-notch universities.

Dr. Jenny Lind Elmaco, a key/academic expert from the Centralized Support for the Network of Erasmus+ National Focal Points, led an engaging online presentation on "International Credit Mobility in the Erasmus+ Programme 2021-2027”. The speaker delivered a captivating presentation, keeping the audience engaged with enthusiastic delivery. Her clear explanations ensured the audience grasped the key concepts and created a valuable learning experience.

The Info session was concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Nith Bunlay, Deputy Director General of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. 

The Cambodian ENFPs' efforts were recognized by the Ambassador of the EU Delegation to the Kingdom of Cambodia, who expressed appreciation for our work in promoting the Erasmus+ program. EU delegation to Cambodia promised to support the Cambodian ENFPs to organize similar events in the future.