By:
• Sao Phal Niseiy

• 30, August 2024 , 7:00 PM

PHNOM PENH – Australia will raise the number of scholarships for Cambodian students from 45 to 62 as the Australian Government’s scholarship program reaches its 30th year.

New Ambassador to Cambodia Derek Yip announced the increase while presenting his credentials to acting head of state and Senate President Hun Sen.

The increase, announced on Hun Sen’s official Facebook page, will be effective in February. More than 1,000 Cambodians have received Australia Awards scholarships since 1994.

During their meeting, Hun Sen thanked the Australian government for its generous decision to provide Cambodia with additional scholarships.

“Besides those receiving scholarships, many other Cambodian students are pursuing their studies in Australia as it is closer to Cambodia than Europe and the US, and its education quality is high and possesses a culture similar to Asia,” he said.

Pledge to Boost Ties to a New Level

Yip was designated as the new Ambassador in July, replacing Justin Whyatt.  Previously, he was assistant secretary of the East Asia Political Branch and held two postings in China.

In his new role, he is tasked with fostering relations with Cambodia, with a focus on enhancing trade and investment as well as promoting people-to-people connections.

In an Australian Embassy statement, Yip emphasized the significance of the enduring engagement between the nations.

He highlighted the diverse range of relationships and key focus areas for cooperation, including health, education, agriculture, economic resilience, defense and police collaboration, democracy and human rights.

“He looks forward to working with Cambodia to progress issues affecting our region during his time here,” the statement said.

Hun Sen expressed hope that the new ambassador will continue strengthening and expanding relations and cooperation. He urged Yip to encourage Australians to invest in Cambodia.

Cambodia and Australia established formal diplomatic relations in 1952. Relations were cut during Cambodia’s decades of war and conflict in the 1970s and 1980s and resumed in 1991. Since then, ties have expanded significantly.

Besides supporting Cambodia’s development endeavors, one of Australia’s most significant contributions was helping bring peace in the 1990s through the Paris Peace Agreement.