Seven Cambodian military trainees have successfully completed their specialist degree from the Penza Artillery Engineering Institute in Penza, Russia, according to the Ministry of National Defence’s department of information.
Four of the military trainees – Hem Norak Satya, Phon Narith, Keo Phally and Ung Mengly – completed their missile and artillery skills degrees.
Among the other three, Or Sovanpanha graduated with a degree in artillery radio technology, while Meas Socheatha and Ngoeurn Bunthen both received degrees in armour and electro-reflectors.
“This is the pride of the nation. All specialist degrees issued by Russian educational institutions are equivalent to a master’s degree in Cambodia,” the ministry said.
Oeur Kongkear, vice-chairman of the Association of Cambodian Students in the Russian Federation, told The Post on June 14 the association was confident that the graduates would bring unique skills gained from Russia to Cambodia for future development.
“I do not know exactly when they will return home. But through the skills they’ve acquired, they will be able to share their knowledge with the Cambodian youth,” he said.
Kongkea also said the association will continue to help support all Cambodian students and military trainees who are continuing their studies in Russia to feel comfortable during their stay there.
Each year, between five and 16 Cambodians on average graduate from Russian institutions with degrees in defence related skills and other fields. The Russian government provides 16 scholarships to Cambodians each year, according to Kongkea.
He said this did not include scholarships provided by the Russia to the Cambodian government through military cooperation.
Cambodian Institute for Democracy president Pa Chanroeun congratulated the seven military trainees on their technical and artillery engineering degrees from Russia. He said he believes that this technical training programme in Russia is a valuable resource for Cambodia.
“The government should value them and give them appropriate roles and use them properly according to the knowledge, skills and experience they have to help develop our country,” he said.
