PHNOM PENH: The Chairman of the Board of Rector of Phnom Penh International University, Tep Kolap, had expressed her sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Hun Sen for helping this university more than 10 years ago.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for Phnom Penh International University students on Tuesday morning, 11 October, Tep Kolap said that if there was no intervention from the Prime Minister, there would be no Phnom Penh International University today.

"Without the intervention of the prime minister, this university would have disappeared," she said.

Prime Minister Hun Sen recalled the time he had helped Tep Kolap and her husband, saying it was a sad story that not only affected Tep Kolap’s family but also the students at Phnom Penh International University.

At that time, the Prime Minister said he and his family had agreed to pay US $2.8 million to help pay off debts incurred by Tep Kolap and her husband.

"Otherwise, the university could not raise money to pay Kol An[...] If Chheang (her husband) was imprisoned at that time, Kolap would also be imprisoned, Phnom Penh International University would also be dead and unable to teach students. ”said the Prime Minister.