PHNOM PENH: A student named Hy Tiengkimhong, has attracted the attention and interest of Prime Minister Hun Sen, despite receiving just a C grade at this year’s high school exam.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for National Road No. 41 on Monday morning, 26 December, in Kong Pisey district of Kampong Speu province, Prime Minister Hun Sen shared that he will support this student in his studies until he receives a doctorate degree.

"Now I am letting him study two majors, one in architecture and another in information technology. He will study at two colleges at the same time," said Prime Minister Hun Sen.

How did Hy Tiengkimhong become the student candidate Prime Minister Hun Sen is most interested in?

Firstly, Hy Tiengkimhong is something of a student prodigy. At only 13 years of age, he took the high school exam this year on 5 December. He is one of the children that Prime Minister Hun Sen has been supporting since 2017.

The Prime Minister provides Tiengkimhong's family with a house to stay in, located in Stung Meanchey, and an annual allowance, to help the boy be able to pursue his studies in Phnom Penh.

Tiengkimhong has a higher intelligence level than other kids his age. He was able to read Khmer, English, and Sanskrit at the age of two, could do math exercises for 10th and 12th grade students at the age of seven, and could also use Google Maps.

At the age of seven, he began sixth grade at Hun Sen Anuwat Primary School in Takeo Province. The Prime Minister began supporting the student after meeting and testing his ability three times.

In 2017, Tiengkimhong received a scholarship to study at BELTEI School (Stung Meanchey) in Phnom Penh in the 8th grade, where he continued his studies until taking the high school exam in 2022.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has admiringly called Hy Tiengkimhong a "child prodigy.”

"Based on my direct observation until he passed the high school exam at the age of 13 years, three months, and six days, I can say that Kimhong is a genius,” the Prime Minister wrote in a Facebook post. "There aren't many people like this in the world. Kimhong has more ability than me in computing and in English; this is a fact that I have to accept."

The Prime Minister has confirmed that he will support Hy Tiengkimhong throughout his studies and wishes him success in both his academic and personal life.

The Prime Minister has said that he wishes to see Hy Tiengkimhong become the youngest PhD recipient in the world.

During a speech on Monday, 26 December, the Prime Minister stated that this student “should be 17 years old when receiving his bachelor's degree, and 19 years old when receiving his master's degree, however, in order to be eligible for a doctoral degree, he will need work experience first.”

Prime Minister Hun Sen has expressed that he values education and will provide scholarships and assistance to students who wish to study hard. As for Hy Tiengkimhong, the Prime Minister’s help has significantly transformed his life, ensuring that he will have a bright future.