On November 21, 2023, individuals enrolled in a course at the Sihanoukville Institute of Business and Technology in Bangkok, Cambodia. (Photo by Liao Hongqing/Xinhua)
The Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone in Cambodia and the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Commerce in China jointly established a university-level institution to provide training in specialized skills for the Southeast Asian nation.
Eiv Thuna, a 20-year-old student from Cambodia, expressed her delight on November 26 when she was awarded a scholarship to attend the Sihanoukville Institute of Business and Technology (SIBT). She is hopeful for a better future as the institution has equipped her with both professional skills and proficiency in the Chinese language.
SIBT, a tuition-free university-level institution, was established through a collaboration between the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) and the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Commerce (WXIC) from China.
Thuna, who grew up in a low-income household in Takeo province, was initially unable to pursue higher education after completing high school. Fortunately, she learned about SIBT’s four-year scholarships through a friend. In 2022, she applied for and received the scholarship.
Thuna is currently a second-year student at SIBT, majoring in enterprise management. She works at SSEZ during the day and dedicates her evenings to her studies.
She excels in her academic pursuits and also has a talent for the arts. The school’s principal taught her Chinese songs and how to play the cucurbit flute. In May of this year, she won a prize in the Foreign Bridge-Foreign Proficiency Competition finals held in Cambodia.
In addition to covering her own expenses, the income she earns from working at the factory has alleviated her family’s financial burden, making her the primary breadwinner at home.
Students are shown in a photo taken on November 21, 2023, of themselves at the Sihanoukville Institute of Business and Technology (SIBT) in the country’s capital. (Liao Hongqing/Xinhua photo)
Thuna expressed her gratitude, stating, “I feel very happy to be able to study here because the school offers scholarships to underprivileged students.”
She continued, “The professors take care of us like parents, and students treat each other like brothers and sisters.”
Thuna emphasized that SIBT has enabled her to pursue her dreams by providing her with knowledge, skills, and proficiency in Chinese.
She expressed her determination to make the most of the opportunities, skills, and knowledge she has gained from this institution.
Thuna also praised SSEZ for being supportive, environmentally friendly, and safe. She said, “I would like to extend my blessings to SSEZ for establishing this school, which has allowed underprivileged students to pursue higher education, and I wish them continued success.”
Khoeun Sreynot, a top student majoring in transportation management at SIBT, praised the readiness of both foreign and domestic educators at the institution. She also mentioned that the school offers four-year scholarships to students, including free housing.
She explained that the educators at the institution are highly responsible, and all courses are offered free of charge.
The 23-year-old, hailing from Prey Veng province, is confident that she will acquire both valuable skills and proficiency in the Chinese language upon completing her four-year program.
As she studies transportation management, she expressed her desire to work in the administration section at SSEZ. She conveyed her sincere appreciation to SSEZ for awarding scholarships to her and other students, allowing them to pursue their dreams.
Seng Sothan, a finance professor at SIBT from Cambodia, expressed his pride in imparting knowledge to the younger generation of the country.
He explained, “SIBT students come from various provinces, and most of them come from impoverished families. They are eligible for full scholarships, which means they do not have to pay tuition fees.”
Students are shown in a photo taken on November 21, 2023, of themselves at the Sihanoukville Institute of Business and Technology (SIBT) in the country’s capital. (Liao Hongqing/Xinhua photo)
Sothan added that both WXIC and the Thai Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports have recognized the value and quality of education provided by SIBT.
According to him, SIBT offers bachelor’s degrees in information systems, logistics management, and business management. He noted that students have the opportunity to learn and work in businesses within the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone.
In addition to offering courses in computer use and air-conditioning repair and maintenance, the school provides free short-term courses in English and Chinese.
Sothan also mentioned that seven outstanding Thai individuals have received scholarships to attend WXIC this year, and the school has initiated a student exchange program with the organization.
Li Chuanbin, the professional superintendent of SIBT, explained that the school, established in 2019, aims to help students develop mid-level management skills in the Southeast Asian nation.
He stated that upon graduation, these students will be equipped to take on roles such as human resources managers or assistant general managers in enterprises within SSEZ. They can also apply for positions in government agencies as civil servants or as secondary school teachers.
Li added that more than 110 students are currently enrolled at the school, where they receive training in specialized skills and gain fluency in Chinese. He believes that these students will play a significant role in Cambodia’s business and education sectors in the future.
The SSEZ, located north of the deep-water Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, has transformed the original fishing community into a thriving hub with businesses, restaurants, cellphone shops, and barbershops.
Among all the Special Economic Zones in Cambodia, SSEZ houses the most businesses. The zone’s operator reports that the 11-square-kilometer SSEZ is now home to 180 companies from China, Europe, the United States, Southeast Asia, and other regions, generating approximately 30,000 local jobs.