Lieutenant General Hun Manet, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the commander of the army’s infantry, addressed Cambodian students from the two countries in Phnom Penh on Friday. Supplied
Lieutenant General Hun Manet has called on Cambodian students in Australia and New Zealand to help promote the Kingdom’s national identity to the world as he said most of them had earned much praise from their professors for having a high sense of morals and capacity.
Manet, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the commander of the army’s infantry, made the appeal as he addressed Cambodian students from the two countries in Phnom Penh on Friday.
He said their talents could help boost the Kingdom’s image on the international stage.
“In foreign countries, you are the representatives of our nation, so it is necessary that we put in greater efforts to promote our culture and national identity so that the world knows us better.
“You must study hard to develop human resources and unite to build our nation for the next generations,” he said.
Manet said Cambodian students studying overseas, both in civil and military programmes, had returned home with pride and honour for both their families and the nation.
He said while he acknowledged that studying away from home is challenging, he encouraged them to overcome the challenges to achieve their educational goals.
“Please try to realise your goal. Don’t give up because when we have clear knowledge and skills, it means we have a strong foundation to make us succeed, especially in the free market economy which is full of competition.
“Your success has brought about national pride. You are the diamonds of Cambodia and have made other countries know that Cambodia has human resources with high ability, morals and virtue,” he said.
Manet also urged Cambodian students studying in Australia and New Zealand to acquire knowledge outside of schools so they can learn about new ways of living and working, and management and mindsets that help supplement what they learn at schools.
That, he said, can make them more creative and boost their chances of success in life after graduation.
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport spokesman Ros Soveacha said students studying abroad are a key resource in building and developing the nation, and that they play a major role in promoting the Kingdom’s national identity on the international stage.
“Cambodian human resources are vital in promoting social, cultural and economic development,” he said.
