Cambodia: Cooperation agreement between the Royal University of Agriculture of Phnom Penh and the High Technical Agricultural Institute Saint Francis of Takeo.

Posted: 17th October 2006

Fr. Olivier Schmitthaeusler and Mr. Chan Nareth

Takeo: On Sunday October 15, 2006 an agreement of mutual cooperation was signed between the Royal University of Agriculture of Phnom Penh and the new High Technical Agricultural Institute Saint Francis . Founded in 2003 by Father Olivier Schmitthaeusler, MEP, this professional High school, Saint Francis, makes it possible to many young people of the countryside to follow their general high school studies while receiving at the same time a vocational training in agriculture and secretariat.

In August 2006, the first promotion passed the baccalaureate successfully: The success of the 87,5% of the students raised up the level of this High School to the forefront among the 4 High Schools of the district of Tramkok (Takeo). "In order to allow the new graduates to continue a training in agriculture with a ‘ High technician certificate’, (bac +2 more years), talks with the Ministry for Agriculture and the University of Agriculture of Phnom Penh had been engaged for several months" underlined Fr. Olivier Schmitthaeusler.

Last Sunday, October 15, with the presence of the the Minister of Agriculture, his Excellence Chan Sarun, the president of the Royal University of Agriculture, the governor of the Province of Takeo and Monsignor Emile Destombes, MEP, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, an agreement was signed as the official recognition of the creation of the High Technical Agricultural Institute Saint Francis and the co-operation with the Royal University of Agriculture of Phnom Penh which makes the commitment to help this new agricultural Institute in their training programs as well as to provide qualified professors.

The first group is integrated by 45 students: 13 of them are new graduates of the High School Saint Francis and 32 new graduates from other neighboring High Schools. They will start their studies on Wednesday, November 8, 2006. For this first school year the students will follow an "Integrated Agricultural System” training program. For the year 2008 is foreseeing to open an agro-alimentary program as part of the curriculum.

The Minister of Agriculture, His Excellency Mr. Chan Sarun, extended his thanksgiving in the name of the Cambodian government to the Catholic Church for its engagement in the education of the Cambodian children and youth in various levels and stressed his joy of being a witness in the creation of this High Technical Agricultural Institute, opened in the countryside. At the same time, Msgr. Emile Destombes described this agreement between the Catholic Church and the Ministry of Agriculture as historical event.

The afternoon was devoted to work in small working groups in order to improve the curriculum vitae of the suggested studies, together with the directors of different agricultural ONGs. This afternoon-seminar, animated by the person in charge for the studies at the university of Agriculture of Phnom Penh, was a good opportunity to underline the great importance of the creation of an agricultural institute in direct contact with countryside. The new students will be able to try out the new techniques taught on these premises.

To conclude, Father Schmitthaeusler, coordinator of this new Institute, expressed his wishes that "as the grain falls in the ground, this small project be able to bear much fruits, as well".

Article Source: Fr. Olivier Schmitthaeusler (mep)