Good Qualifications and High Pay go Hand-in-Hand

By Soy Sophea

It took 29-year-old Te Sok Sreng upwards of eight years to complete his Master’s in Business Law and earn his Doctorate in International development. His dream of postgraduate study was formed as he studied at primary schools in Cambodia. Then news of his scholarship to study in Japan arrived on his doorstep.

Sok Sreng, who studied at the Yokohama National University in a scholarship of Monbusho from 2001 to 2008, realized that his current employability was a result of the knowledge and experience he gained abroad.

He is now employed as a Reserve Civil Servant with the Department of Economic Development, Investment Affairs and International Relations at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning & Construction (MoLMUPC). He arrived at the department in September 2008 and will become a fully fledged Civil Servant after one years’ probationary service.

He said that he has found the right professional position working as a civil servant and is able to apply theory to the practice of national development and law. Here, he has found the right match between his qualifications and the requirements made of him, but he is aware that he could out his skills to even greater use.

Sok Sreng, who was recently elected as Vice President of Japan Alumni Association in Cambodia, said that he wants to share his knowledge which he gained from Japan.

Based on his experience, he has developed a full appreciation for the life of an academician, and finds that the knowledge he had gained is of great practical value. He is now in a position to share this information with the rest of the nation as it follows the path of development.

Sok Sreng, who is also a close secretary to a Secretary of State of MoLMUPC, has never thought to enter business for himself; his thoughts have centered on bringing benefits to his own country, formed in the light of his international experience. His position in the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning & Construction is a stepping stone towards work for the community. However, he refused to reveal the limits of his ambitions.

“Other scholars want to use their qualifications to open a profitable business for themselves. I think differently. I am on constant lookout for ideas that will help the nation develop,” he told the Cambodia Weekly during a personal interview.

Nhean Tola, who recently graduated with a Master’s Decree from Japan in International Business, said that Sreng is an active student, one with reserves of friendliness and patience. Tola, who has known Sreng for the last ten years, said his friend’s intention is to work with the government ministry as a preliminary to a leadership role in the Cambodian Community.

Tola said that Sok Sreng will reach his goal one day, but he will need time to practice his social skills. He is a program officer at Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Cambodia.

“I wish him all the success in the world in his plans to gain promotion with the government. He is the most patient and hardworking person I have ever met and I am honoured to call him a friend,” he said.

Fresh graduates from an internationally-recognized educational institute tend to find well paid work in a short space of time. However, Tola noted that not everybody is willing or able to put in the many hours of hard work to gain the qualifications. But the rewards can be compelling, with private companies and NGOs all offering attractive salaries.

“Even though Cambodian Scholarship students have little option but to start from scratch, we always catch up with other students from different countries,” he said. “We seldom see any Cambodian scholarship students return To Cambodia empty handed.”

“I want the Cambodian government to identify Cambodian students who have studied abroad and offer them priority packages for work in government offices,” Sok Sreng said. “If our government does so Cambodia will be soon progress with the infusion of fresh talent and new ideas.”

Sok Sreng said that he welcomes all who want to apply for a Japanese study scholarship. He can be contacted at 012 867 557 or via email, tesoksreng@yahoo.com.