Local academics to go to Europe

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This year's group of Cambodian students and teachers will head to various educational institutions around Europe. PHOTO SUPPLIED

The Phnom Penh Post
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Joel Quenby

Thirty-six Cambodians are jetting off to study and teach abroad as a result of EU programme that makes it one of the Kingdom’s major scholarship donors

IT is a chance that thousands of Cambodian students surely dream about: the opportunity to study and teach at European universities in far-flung countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Turkey.

Sometimes dreams come true. And, according to a press release from the European Commission delegation last week, in the 2009-10 academic year, 36 Cambodians will study or teach in degree programmes from undergraduate to postdoctorate level in Europe, courtesy of the EC's Erasmus Mundus scholarship programme.

"I'm delighted to see that the number of Cambodian students and academic staff selected under this year's programme has been increased seven times compared to last year, which brings the EU to one of the biggest scholarship providers in Cambodia," said Rafael Dochao Moreno, charge d' affaires ad interim of the EC Delegation to Cambodia.

"Cambodian students and academic staff will have the opportunity to study and teach in Europe between three months and three years, which, I am sure, will be a very enriching experience, both from an academic and personal perspective."

"One of the most important subjects that we opened for this year programme is journalism.

"By completing their course in journalism, I hope our Cambodian students will bring back to their home country valuable experiences and insights on European approaches to freedom of the press as well as the best practices of how the media play an important role in contributing to the development of European social, economic and democratic values," added Dochao.

In addition to fields related to communication and information sciences, the fortunate Cambodian students and teaching staff will pursue degree programmes in numerous other fields.

As part of the educational exchange programme, 1,561 European students and academic staff will visit partner institutions in countries outside Europe while 6,063 of their respective counterparts from outside the EU will visit European establishments.