Alumni Association launched in Cambodia

The Kobe University Alumni Association in Cambodia was officially launched in Phnom Penh on September 17, 2016. The Alumni Association in Cambodia is Kobe University’s 14th overseas alumni organization, and the University’s international network now encompasses most of the rapidly advancing ASEAN region. The kick-off event for this Alumni Association was organized by the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, and held in conjunction with the program follow-up seminar for long-term education program JDS (The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid).

The seminar and inaugural ceremony were attended by Mr. MINATO Yohei (Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia), H.E. Yuok Ngoy (Secretary of State, Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports), Mr. Ngov Penghuy (President of the Nagoya University Cambodia Alumni Association), and from Kobe University Professor INOUE Noriyuki (Executive Vice President in Charge of International Exchange), Professor YOTSUMOTO Kenji (Dean of the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies – GSICS), Associate Professor KAWABATA Koji (also GSICS), Professor KAWAI Naruo (Director of the Center for International Education) and Professor PARK Jong Woo (Center for International Education).

First, at the JDS follow-up seminar moderated by Professor KAWAI Naruo, Sin Sangha (Royal Academy of Judicial Professions, GSICS 2011 graduate), Cheu Ponleu (Cambodia Agriculture Value Chain Program, GSICS 2010 graduate), and Som Savuth (Senate of Cambodia, GSICS 2004 graduate) each gave presentations covering what they had learned on the JDS program, their current employment and future plans, and the program’s significance. Afterwards, a roundtable discussion led by Professor YOTSUMOTO and Associate Professor KAWABATA provided an overall review of the seminar.

This was followed by the inaugural ceremony for the Kobe University Alumni Association in Cambodia. The event started with an address from Professor INOUE, followed by congratulatory speeches from Mr MINATO representing the Japanese embassy and H.E. Yuok Ngoy representing the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports. The founding members of the Alumni Association were introduced, and Mr. MEY Kalyan (Senior Adviser at Supreme National Economic Council, Royal Government of Cambodia, Graduate School of Economics 1984 graduate) was inaugurated as the founding president. The alumni all recited the founding declaration expressing the philosophy behind the launch of this alumni association, and stated their intentions that this organization would contribute to the development of both countries and Kobe University. Following this, the official flag of the new Alumni Association was presented to Association President MEY Kalyan by Professor INOUE, signifying the new relationship between our University and the Association.

The reception was attended by alumni and others connected to Kobe University. It provided an opportunity to renew old friendships, create new partnerships, and engage in fruitful discussions. At the end of the reception Professor YOTSUMOTO commented, “This alumni association kick-off event is a promising start, and I have high expectations for the future activities of this association”.

On September 19, Professor INOUE and Professor YOTSUMOTO visited the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) and participated in the signing ceremony for an Academic Exchange Agreement between the two universities, also attended by staff and students of RUPP. Following this, on September 20, as part of an initiative to strengthen our University’s support for RUPP, Mr. SAKAMOTO Yasuhiro (Kobe University Co-operative Executive Director) gave a lecture on the significance and role of the Co-operative. This event aimed to provide information for enhancing welfare programs at RUPP, and it was attended by 250 RUPP staff members and students.

On September 19, Professor INOUE and Professor YOTSUMOTO visited the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) and participated in the signing ceremony for an Academic Exchange Agreement between the two universities, also attended by staff and students of RUPP. Following this, on September 20, as part of an initiative to strengthen our University’s support for RUPP, Mr. SAKAMOTO Yasuhiro (Kobe University Co-operative Executive Director) gave a lecture on the significance and role of the Co-operative. This event aimed to provide information for enhancing welfare programs at RUPP, and it was attended by 250 RUPP staff members and students.