PHNOM PENH: The Deputy Commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, has highlighted the importance of Buddhism in building Cambodian society because the religion not only guides people but also helps develop human resources in Cambodia too. The Lt. Gen. made this statement during the groundbreaking ceremony and the Solidarity Flower Festival for the construction of the Sihamoni Raja Buddhist University building, located in Wat Svay Pope, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh, on Monday, 4 July.
Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Hun Sen and First Lady Bun Rany Hun Sen, Lt. Gen. Hun Manet said that the Royal Government has made efforts to develop many infrastructures that have provided benefits to people across the country. The growth of the Buddhist University is part of providing opportunities for the people to gain knowledge and become human resources with full ability and high productivity for a rich labor market. This is in line with Cambodia’s aim to strengthen and expand its economic potential towards an industrial and technological economy with high demand for human resources with technical skills.
He added that the strengthening of Buddhism in Cambodia is not only about religion, but also about strengthening and training human resources with moral and virtuous abilities.
He said, "Buddhism is the basis for educating people to do good deeds, and what is important is to focus on strengthening the will, virtue, morality, respect for the law and understanding of culture and the history of the nation to the children who are students so that they become good friends, good children and good citizens for society, especially true in the context of technological progress like in the present day. While providing many positive points, technological progress also brings some negative points, such as the problem of false information and other crimes on the Internet."
The Sihamoni Raja Buddhist University opened in December 2004 as a Buddhist academy and evolved into a bigger Buddhist university in July 2007. The university trains Buddhist students all levels, and tens of thousands of undergraduates and postgraduates can receive their degrees as well as gain the intellectual and human capital necessary for social development in both the Buddhist religion and empire. By the end of June 2022, the university was successful in registering as a member of the International Association of Universities.
