The Life and Times of a Scholarship Student in Europe

By Soy Sophea

Seng Bopha is a former student of the Department of Media and Communications at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). She said that her dream was to get a recognized Master’s Decree from a prestigious western university. Her dream came true when Bopha received a scholarship in 2006 to fund her postgraduate studies abroad, one year after graduation.

She said that her mother was afraid for her daughter as her studies would take her away from home for more than one year. “She [my mother] was concerned about a young Cambodian lady living abroad for so long,” she recalled.
Bopha is now an advisor to the Cambodia Agriculture Market Information Project (CAMIP).
*Life in Europe

During the first three months in Denmark, Bopha was homesick and missed her family and friends. She felt lonely and had no one to turn to. “I cried and cried and I missed everyone,” Bopha said. However, after a little time, she recalled the purpose of her European visit and she started to concentrate harder on her lessons. Her homesickness declined and her confidence returned.

“I recalled my family’s advice to stay focused on the goal of earning a postgraduate qualification,” she said. “I struggled to overcome my fears and keep up with the other students in the program. There was only one other Cambodian student on the course,” she added.

As a European Erasmus Fellowship student, she studied in Denmark and England. Bopha was committed to staying ahead of her classmates although at first she experienced difficulties with English as it is her second language. Nevertheless she found plenty of help and support from her classmates and this helped her secure her certificate.

*New Work Experience

During vacations, Bopha found work as a dish washer at a restaurant, earning extra money for travel to other European countries. The work taught her lessons in patience, serenity and in calling on reserves of tact that she never knew she had.

“I spent four hours a day washing dishes to fund my trips to Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Scotland and Italy,” she said. During her travels, she found much food for thought and was exposed to a range of new ideas and philosophies.

Future Career

As she used to work as radio producer and news reporter for the BBC World Trust, and ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporations) and other related media organisations, Bopha wishes to open her own media company, although she is now employed as a radio advisor with the Cambodia Agriculture Market Information Project based in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Currently, she wants to explore working relationships with NGOs and private companies before opening her own.

“It is not so easy to start a successful business, despite the fact that I have been to university and read many books. In theory, opening a business sounds easy, but in practice the process can be very demanding,” she said.

She said that her friends have invited her to establish a joint-adventure media company to join the organizations already operating in the sector.

Cambodia is a Better Place to Live

Although, she used to imagine that European countries were better, Bopha said that Cambodia was much better. “I had a bad experience whilst traveling to European countries. They discriminated against me by asking me how old I was. That was so rude.”

She suggested that all who have graduated from foreign universities should return to Cambodia and help restore the nation to its former glory. “Look at the temples our ancestors created. We did it in the past and we can do it again in future.”


Advice for scholarship seekers

“Don’t worry about your lack of experience or problems with Academic English,” Bopha said. “Keep encouraging yourself and get closely involved with your subject. You will be successful in the long run,” she said.

The fact that Bopha had failed in her applications for other Western scholarship programs, she never gave up the hope that she would gain a scholarship one day. However, she gave thanks to the Department of Media and Communications which provided her with the opportunity to work as an intern with DWTV in Germany where she could build a network between East and West.

Cambodian youngsters who worry about applying for scholarships have to try and be confident in what abilities they have. “If you do not apply, then your failure is assured and you may miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime,” Bopha said. “You have to dare yourself to write that email of inquiry. If you ask, the worst that can happen is that you will get a response.”

She welcomes enquiries from all who want to apply for scholarships at foreign universities. She can be contacted at 016 840 816.
Interested students are also invited to visit the Erasmus Mundus website for further information on courses, countries and application procedures. The website address is
http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/mundus/projects/index_en.html

*Love

“I don’t so much care about wealth,” she said. “I’m looking for qualities of intelligence and morality in a future husband,” she added.

Her father is a disabled person who is well educated and creative. “My father always advises me to become a useful person. Although we are not rich, that is not necessarily a permanent condition. With hard work we can all become wealthy,” she said.

Hard Study Results in High Pay for Students

By Soy Sophea

It took Lay Vicheka almost five years to reach his dream job as a legal consultant at a private law firm, starting from a position of law assistant to a parliamentary member.

25-year-old Vicheka, who studies for his Master’s Degree in International Business Law at the University of Cambodia (UC), said that he wants to be a well-known legal expert across the region.

He is now serving legal consultant at B.N.G-Advocates and Solicitors in Phnom Penh. He experienced some difficulties in his first year after taking a job as a legal assistant to a parliamentary lawmaker and freelance translator for private translation companies.

However, Vicheka realized that his employability was a result of the knowledge and experience he received at both workplace and university. He said it was a tough challenge, especially given the fact that one of his legs was amputated following a traffic accident at the age of 10.

“The loss of the left leg will not be an obstacle for me as I reach my goal of becoming an international scholar of the law,” he said. “This will be my ultimate job title and to attain it will require research,” he told the Cambodia Weekly.

Vicheka has recently advised to his friends who attend other classes to study hard and follow his example. He also advised them to pay attention to improving their English language skills.

“It depends on the individual student. If they not study hard, they will get nothing to show for their university years,” he said. “You are the architect of your life, and you write the direction of your future.”

He will be awarded his Master’s Degree next year and he will continue to study for a doctorate in International Business Law. He hopes that these developments will happen soon as he mentioned that time does not wait for anybody.

“If we get the study habit at an early age, it is easier for us to increase our knowledge because we are still full energy,” he said.

Vicheka said since he started working for an hourly wage at the legal consultation company, he was encouraged to work ever harder, otherwise he would not be able to compete with other lawyers in the region.

With experience, came his appreciation for the life of an academician, and he found that the knowledge he gained was of great practical value and he expressed his wish to see this experience placed in the service of his nation. He suggested that Law Students think beyond the narrow practice of law as there are many other careers that a law graduate can consider after graduation.

Cambodian students who have studied the law tend to seek careers as politicians, said Vicheka. He added that working as a civil servant they all will not be promoted any time soon. They should however concentrate on opening private companies to soak up future law graduates.

Kiet Korop, a classmate of Vicheka’s said he had been studying for his Master’s Course at the University of Cambodia, said that Vicheka is a friendly, patient and hard working student and good employee.
Korop, who studies International Relations, said he was impressed with Vicheka’s hard work. The two are of the same age but the do not as yet earn the same wages. However, Korop wishes his classmate all the best in reaching his future goals.

Cambodian PM Calls Probe Thai Artillery Shells

By Soy Sophea

The Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on February 20 called on Thai government to investigate their artillery bullets which were fired to Cambodian territory during its military exercise along the border of the two countries, and the shelling was happened on February 17, 2008.

The Prime Minister told reporters after a apologize meeting with Thai military deputy commander at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan left for Phnom Penh on Friday morning to meet his Cambodian counterpart Teah Ban for talks aimed at withdrawing troops from disputed land around Preah Vihear temple.

“I recommend to Thai delegates to have a probe in order to explain the reasons to their people and soldiers why the Artillery has occurred three times to Cambodian territory,” the Prime Minister said. “This is a test for relation mechanism, which it is a good relation and patient,” he added.

The Premier continued to say that the Thai Army Commander-in-Chief, Anupong Paojinda has sent him an apologize message and sent his army college to ask for apologize face to face with the Cambodian Prime Minister.

The Premier told the visiting Thai delegates that the apologizing visit is a reason for Cambodian government to explain its people why the event occurred. He said the explanation is a reason to each other and promise not to repeat the situation.

Teradej Kotcharat, Thai Army Deputy Commander-in-Chief, led Thai army delegates to meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for apologize which he assured that the event was a unprecedented accident in its military exercise along the Cambodian and Thai border.
However, Pol Saroeun, Cambodian Army Commander-in-Chief, on February 19 explained the situation to Phnom Penh-based foreign attaché officers including Thai attaché officer. However, the
Cambodian Army Commader-in-Chief assured that the event was unwillingness but there was a technical mistakes made by fresh Thai soldiers. He confirmed that Cambodia has obtained the apologize message from the Thai Army region 2 and he said Cambodia has not given an alert for Cambodian troop to stand for Thai troop as it is considered as accident.

He added that the Cambodian government and army’s stand is to keep cooperation with military soldiers to build peace along borders. Tensions flared in July last year after the site was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage Status list. Both countries deployed troops to the border area in October and each suffered casualties in sporadic fighting.

Municipal Authority to Fight Mosquito Swarms

By Soy Sophea

Phnom Penh municipal health officers say they are ready to fight against the unusual swarms of mosquitoes after complaints received by Phnom Penh residents.

Veng Thay, Director of the Municipal Health Department, said his workers have received money from the city hall to buy pesticides to eradicate the insects.

“We have started fighting mosquitoes in Phnom Penh, even though their bites will not cause malaria or dengue fever,” Veng Thay said during an interview with the Cambodia Weekly on February 12.

The Director noted that mosquitoes appear every year at this time until the start of the rainy season in May. However, he urged Phnom Penh residents to take precautions against the usual swarms of this year.

“People should use a mosquito spray at home and sleep under nets, paying particular care for the wellbeing of any infants,” he said.

Sen Navy, 35, a Phnom Penh resident, has rarely slept under a net because she uses mosquito sprays to kill the insects. But her behavior has changed in recent days following the increase of mosquitoes at her home in Tuol Sangke commune, Russei Keo district in Phnom Penh.

“I am afraid of mosquitoes biting my children,” said Navy. “I let my children sleep under nets, otherwise they will get dengue fever,” she added.

Another 21-year-old Song Poleak said that she was very concerned when she saw swarms of mosquitoes while she and a friend were talking to each other in a public park.

“There are more mosquitoes than I have ever seen,” she said. “Although I spray them at home,” she said. “I kill a hundred but another hundred arrive to take their place,” she added.

She urged relevant authorities to take action to kill mosquitoes as soon as possible. At a cost of $20, 000 she believes the Municipality’s campaign against the pest will be successful.

Cambodia Opens Up to International Culture

By Soy Sophea

Cambodian Culture Officers have welcomed input from the World’s cultures but warn that all foreign cultures should be subjected to a process of Khmerization so that it conforms to national mores and respects human dignity.

Samraing Kamsan, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said that there is no border for culture; wherever men go, the culture goes with them.

“We don’t prohibit foreign cultures in Cambodia,” he said. “But whatever Cambodian people want to adopt new foreign cultures they should adjust it so that it fits Khmer style as our ancestors have done in building thousand of temples,” he added.

The Under Secretary of State told the Cambodia Weekly on January 28 that in his view, it would be good to combine the traditional dance with the conventions of Break dance or Hip Hop for example.

He said that when one nation’s culture is weak, other stronger cultures will influence the weaker. “That is a normal, but we should preserve ours,” he added.

He illustrated the point with reference to the computer. “Computers do not belong to Cambodia’s culture but it is an indispensible item of modern work culture. However, our IT engineers have taken this device and given it a Khmer complexion to make it relevant to our situation. This is an unavoidable aspect of living in a globalised world.”

• Cambodia’s DV HipHop Show

Established in November 2008, the dance troupe comprises members who also happen to be orphans. Chan Ravy, troupe manager of the 6-member team said that he wanted to gather young Cambodian people and give them a chance to improve their life through western dance.

Ravy, who has practiced the Hip Hop and Break Dance style since 2001, said that he was concerned that children from less income background would easily fall into the trap of drug addiction. To help combat the threat, he decided to build a small troupe to give the youth something to do. He has big ambitions and wants to see his dancers performing on a wider, national stage.

“I can’t imagine what it would happen to us if we did not do anything for ourselves. Some of us are orphans,” he told the Cambodia Weekly during an interview. “I want them to show their ability in dancing to a different beat to Cambodians.”

He said that his team has now become the official dancing team for a local private education provider. Ravy, whose father is a professor at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, urged interested sponsors to provide financial support.

Top Longdy, a dancer with the troupe said that DVHipHop is ready to serve the Cambodian audience and is certain that they would enjoy the spectacle.

Top Longdy, who is also a student of Information of Technology at a Phnom Penh university, said that his team has appeared on CTN (Cambodian Television Network), TV5 and Bayon.

“My ambition is to promote Cambodia’s Hip Hop so that it becomes as well known as the Korean scene,” he said. “Cambodians should not be afraid of updating their culture with Khamerised injections from outside influences, as happened in the past.”

Chan Pololita, an orphan who studies grade 10 in a high school in Phnom Penh, said that he will show his best moves in front of Cambodian audiences. He hopes that the new business will help him and his four siblings overcome the troubles experienced since his father passed away. “I believe that it will help my life,” said Pololita, whose younger brother Chan Poleu is also in the team.

DV Hip Hip consists of Chan Ravy, 20, Top Longdy, 18, Chan Pololita, 17, Chan Ponleu, 15, Yu Kimdara, 14, Lim Hai, 13 and with two other reserves Keng Samnang, 15, and Chom Ribo, 14. They can be contacted at 016 67 72 72.

Song Rachana, a student at a Phnom Penh university welcomed the arrival of foreign culture but he urged people to consider the impact on native culture such adoptions would create.

“It will be better if they could mix the introduced culture with a bit of Khmer style,” he told the Cambodia Weekly.

•History of Hip Hop

Hip Hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with backing beats. Hip hop music is part of hip hop culture, which began in the Bronx, in New York City in the 1970s, predominantly among African Americans and Latino Americans. The term rap is often used synonymously with hip hop music.
Rapping, also referred to as MCing or emceeing, is a vocal style in which the performer speaks rhythmically and in rhyme, generally to a beat, recently, however, a difference has developed between "rapping" and "MCing".

Hip Hop arose in New York City when DJs began isolating the percussion break from funk or rock songs for audiences to dance to. The role of the MC was originally to introduce the DJ and the music, and to keep the audience excited. The MC would speak between songs, giving exhortations to dance, greetings to audience members, jokes and anecdotes. Eventually, this practice became more stylized, and came to be known as rapping. By 1979, hip hop had become a commercially recorded music genre, and began to enter the American mainstream.

It also began its spread across the world. In the 1990s, a form called gangster rap became a major part of American music, causing significant controversy over lyrics which were perceived by some as promoting violence, promiscuity, drug use and misogyny. Nevertheless, hip hop continued to increase in popularity, and by the year 2000, it was a staple of popular music charts.

Cambodian Media Involved in Asia Pacific Roundtable on Hunger

By Soy Sophea

About 20 Newspaper editors and senior reporters from the Asia Pacific region have gathered for a two-day roundtable on Inequality and Hunger. They hope to formulate a response to the problem of hunger in the region. The meeting was organized by Sri Lanka’s Panos Institute and sponsored by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Omar Noman, Chief of Policy and Programs at the UNDP Regional Centre in Colombo (UNDPRCC), said that only a few months ago, many newspapers and news channels were awash with stories on the food crisis. Now, the headlines have changed despite the fact that more than 500 million people still go to bed hungry at the end of every day in the Asia Pacific Region.

He said that the meeting was crucial in the fight against inequality and hunger and urged media institutions to continue reporting on the issue of hunger as well as other global concerns. He noted that the extent of the hunger problem remained staggering.

“We are concerned by the extent of human suffering caused by hunger in the Region and the implications it has for the growth of future generations,” he said. “The UNDP Regional Center in Asia, Colombo Office, together with the Food and Agricultural Organization, has launched a campaign against hunger, as this and inequality remain critical obstacles to development,” he added.

According to UNDPRCC’s report on Inequality and Hunger, dated February 2, 2009, the region is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world. Moreover, the region has also made considerable progress in terms of poverty; yet the progress towards reducing hunger has been relatively slow. It continues that over 500 million people live in hunger in the region, accounting for 61 percent of the world’s undernourished population and this figure is rising.

The report stated that since the 1990s, Cambodia has made significant progress in its transition towards prosperity and development. In the process, Cambodia has re-established peace and security after almost three decades of war and civil conflict; moved to a multi-party political system following vigorous efforts to develop and strengthen the country’s democratic institutions; and transformed the isolated, state-controlled and subsistence-oriented economy into a market-driven and open economy.

“In particular, the country’s garment and tourism industries have speedily expanded from a very low base; and physical infrastructure is undergoing rapid rehabilitation and expansion,” the report said. “In the area of social development; Cambodia has made considerable advances. School enrolment has substantially increased; the health system has been rebuilt; and Cambodia has emerged as a model of successful HIV prevention.”

Hunger is not the same as starvation. In simple terms it is the need to consume adequate food for normal development of the human body. In extreme cases, due to continued dietary inadequacy, the human body gets used to having less food than necessary for healthy development, and after a while the body does not even demand enough food, according to the UN Committee on the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

In such cases, the sufferer does not complain of discomfort, though the lower intake of essential calories, proteins, fats and micro-nutrients results in under-development of the human mind and body. Thus objective indicators such as calorie consumption, Body Mass Index (BMI), the proportion of malnourished children and child mortality rates create a truer picture of the scope of the problem than the subjective articulations of individuals.

Hunger, Malnutrition and Child Mortality

Cambodia’s child nutrition status has improved, albeit slowly, between 2000 and 2005, with a welcome decline from 45 to 37 percent, coupled with a 50 percent decrease in wasting diseases, from 15 to 7 percent. The overall prevalence of underweight children has decreased from 45 per cent to 36 per cent, meeting the target for 2005. Similarly, the percentage of the population living below the food poverty line for comparable geographic areas fell by 6 percent over the same period.

Major Challenges

Even though Cambodia is on track to meet most of the nutrition targets, progress has been mixed in some areas. In particular, progress has been uneven in reducing poverty, hunger and malnutrition; in improving the level and quality of education; in reducing gender inequality, and in the area of maternal health. There is still a lack of infrastructure, and there is unsustainable resource depletion and environmental degradation.

Similarly, while the success in reducing poverty in urban and more accessible rural areas is commendable given Cambodia’s recent history, the challenge over the next decade is to vastly reduce poverty in the remaining rural, less accessible areas.