Students display artwork featuring French language and icons created for the 14th General Assembly of Rectors of AUF Members in Asia Pacific (CONFRAISE), held in Phnom Penh last week. PHOTO SUPPLIED
The year 2023 signifies a momentous occasion for the Association of Francophone Universities (AUF) as it commemorates the 30th anniversary of its presence in Cambodia.
Simultaneously, the 14th General Assembly of Rectors of AUF Members in Asia Pacific (CONFRAISE), took place in Phnom Penh last week, reinforcing the organisation’s dedication to the Asia-Pacific region.
Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron emphasised the partnership between AUF and the education ministry while addressing the event on October 11, pointing out the AUF’s pivotal role in shaping the nation’s educational landscape.
“Youth embodies the future of our nation, as well as the future of the Francophonie. It fills me with joy to witness Cambodian students actively participating in this pursuit,” he expressed.
“In my role as minister, I remain steadfast in my commitment to ensuring the Francophonie’s substantial influence in shaping our national policies and decisions,” he affirmed.
Established in Montreal, Canada, sixty years ago, the AUF has grown into the world’s foremost university network, comprising over a thousand member institutions spanning 115 countries.
“We are pleased to celebrate the 30th anniversary of AUF’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region,” declared AUF rector Slim Khalbous.
He mentioned that the AUF’s influence extends beyond French-speaking territories, embracing nations with varying levels of French proficiency.
In its essence, the AUF stands as the world’s largest global network dedicated to advancing education and knowledge exchange, with a distinct focus on promoting the French language’s global presence.
Cambodia, a nation with a strong affinity for the French language, took the spotlight during these celebratory events.
Khalbous embarked on a journey to Cambodia to establish connections with the region’s French-speaking youth and engage with rectors from 92 partner universities.
Over the course of a three-day event in Phnom Penh, a remarkable dialogue unfolded as members of French-speaking Student Leader Clubs (CLEF) gathered.
These dynamic young individuals hailed from diverse backgrounds, representing Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, South Korea and Mongolia. Their common aspiration is to shape the future of the French language among Asian youth.
Khalbous acknowledged the boundless energy and enthusiasm of these students in the Asia-Pacific region for the exchange of knowledge and collaborative efforts.
“The AUF has championed the [CLEF] establishment, resulting in a total of 230 clubs across 60 countries. These clubs engage in various activities, from orchestrating conferences and cultural events to launching entrepreneurial ventures,” he explained.
He underscored the remarkable unity within the youth network, all driven by a shared determination to achieve concrete advancements in the promotion of the French language.
Sam Bunthoeurn, a student at the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA), commended Le petit journal Cambodge as a vital resource for rural Cambodian youth seeking to learn the French language.
Hailing from Siem Reap province, he noted that access to the language of Moliere was not widely available to all Cambodians.
These young individuals, originating from diverse backgrounds, forged connections through their mutual use of the French language.
“Participating in this event allowed me to connect with students from various universities, and we are eager to explore potential collaborations,” declared Thu Huong, a student from the Hanoi School of Commerce in Vietnam.
Laurent Sermet, the Asia-Pacific director of AUF in Hanoi, stressed the significance of the event, which united French-speaking youth from across the Asia-Pacific region, with a particular emphasis on Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.
He noted the substantial demand for education in Cambodia, with numerous students showing a strong interest in learning French.
Holistic development
To encourage students to continue their French studies after graduation, AUF has prioritised offering job opportunities and support for entrepreneurial initiatives. Students receive comprehensive training in project management before embarking on their ventures, with a special focus on nurturing talented entrepreneurs.
Additionally, AUF has taken on the responsibility of assisting member countries in revising their curricula, a process spanning five to 10 years. He said that students actively contribute ideas to leaders to create activities that spark the interest of their peers in the French language. This long-term effort involves developing a comprehensive youth programme to engage young individuals in these clubs.
“For the past two to three decades, the entire French-speaking community has collaboratively worked on development, embracing a diverse range of ideas and languages beyond just English,” Sermet detailed.
“Today, the results of globalisation are mixed, with one side being inter-commercial, and the other, people focusing on their national language,” he said.
Contrary to common misconceptions, the colonial era witnessed a relatively limited population of French speakers in Indochina, predominantly consisting of local elites and the affluent.
Khalbous asserted that during the period, approximately 60,000 individuals were fluent in French. Therefore, the belief that French colonial influence compelled the majority of the population to adopt the language is inaccurate.
“In the 19th and 20th centuries, the number of French speakers was small, with only local celebrities and wealthy people learning French,” Khalbous told The Post.
In a bid to bridge linguistic and cultural divides, AUF has arranged outreach programmes in six provinces throughout Cambodia, focusing on high schools.
Khalbous pointed out that AUF membership does not solely revolve around language learning but serves to bolster the holistic development of youth and their respective nations.
“For the 21st century, we are dedicated to transforming enthusiasts into proficient speakers. French is not merely a language of communication but a global means of interaction,” said Sermet.
In December 2022, approximately 100 participants, including former AUF scholarship recipients, students, educators, researchers, university representatives, and partners, gathered for a dual event.
Held on December 1 at AUF within the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) in Phnom Penh, the occasion included the presentation of entrepreneurship training certificates and an AUF alumni evening.
The entrepreneurship programme, initiated in June 2022 by the French-speaking Employability Centre (CEF) in Phnom Penh, engaged 22 students selected from 55 applicants across 12 AUF-Cambodia member universities.
These students underwent a rigorous curriculum, combining online and in-person instruction, including a company visit, and they successfully developed and defended a group business plan before a panel of industry professionals, many of whom were former AUF scholarship recipients.
