Phnom Penh, April 10, 2024: In a stride towards fostering educational and scientific collaboration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) titled "Higher Education and Science Cooperation" was ceremonially signed between the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture of East Timor. The event, which took place on the afternoon of April 9, 2024, was presided over by Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia, and featured JOSÉ HONÓRIO DA COSTA PEREIRA JERÓNIMO, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture of East Timor, as the head of the delegation.
The ceremony was attended by advisors from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, representatives from the General Department of Higher Education, the University of Cambodia, and the Department of Cultural Relations and Scholarships, marking a collaborative effort to enhance the educational landscape between the two nations.
Expressing enthusiasm for the partnership, the Minister from East Timor highlighted the MoU as a significant milestone in the educational cooperation between Cambodia and East Timor. He extended gratitude towards the Cambodian government for its support in East Timor's ASEAN membership bid and the medical assistance provided during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia underscored the MoU as a clear commitment to bolstering ties between the two countries through tangible cooperation in education, science, and culture. This collaboration aims to facilitate the exchange of experiences and mobility among students, teachers, professors, and researchers. It encompasses publishing, education research, mutual degree recognition, and bilateral scholarship exchange programs. Moreover, the agreement supports joint research initiatives in higher education, fostering capacity building and human resource development in both nations.
This MoU aligns with the Royal Government of Cambodia's Pentagon Strategic Plan for its 7th legislature, which prioritizes human capital development. The Ministry of Education's ongoing reforms focus on elevating teaching and learning quality across all levels, integrating 21st-century skills, and embracing advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence and robotics. These efforts are aimed at equipping individuals with problem-solving capabilities and adaptability to industry changes, positioning Cambodia to achieve its vision of becoming a high middle-income country by 2030.
