Phnom Penh, November 21, 2024 - In a ceremony held this morning, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, announced that a total of 8,339 students have successfully completed their studies, comprising 27 males and 4,401 females, which is equivalent to 52.77% of the graduating class. This includes 7,973 undergraduate students, with 4,267 females representing 53.51%, and 366 graduate students, of which 134 are females, accounting for 36.61%.

During the event, Dr. Hang emphasized the Royal University of Phnom Penh’s critical role as a state higher education institution in training human resources vital for Cambodia’s economic and social development in alignment with the Royal Government's policies. Since its establishment, the university has trained a total of 64,674 students from 1980 to the academic year 2021-2022, including 25,521 females. Among these, 20,825 were scholarship students, with 6,833 females, while 43,849 were fee-paying students, including 18,688 females. In the current academic year, 2023-2024, the institution has enrolled 29,819 students, with 17,753 females, and 383 scholarship students, including 236 females, funded by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo and Samdech Kittiprittbandit.

Prime Minister Hun Manet addressed the graduates, stating that their accomplishments mark significant progress for Cambodia. He noted that the success of these individuals contributes to building a stronger and more prosperous nation.

Additionally, Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted the importance of quality education, asserting that investing in education equates to investing in the future. He remarked that knowledge empowers individuals to transform ideas into actionable plans and emphasized that a solid knowledge base creates opportunities. Prime Minister Hun Manet advised graduates that success in larger endeavors requires initial accomplishments in smaller tasks and acknowledged that such success takes time.

He further articulated the need for stringent standards regarding company investments in Cambodia, emphasizing that investments that do not meet environmental and societal standards will not be permitted. Moreover, Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized the necessity for Cambodia to build strong human resources that can effectively compete, especially in the rapidly evolving global landscape. He underscored the importance of attracting investments not only in the garment industry but also in technology and modern transportation sectors.

The graduation ceremony underscored the achievements of the Royal University of Phnom Penh's students and the government's commitment to fostering a qualified workforce for the country's future development.