Phnom penh: Forty-one Cambodian students have gained admission to prestigious Indian universities, including the University of Delhi and Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, to pursue their undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs for the academic year 2025-26.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh organized an event on July 16 to distribute the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Scholarship Offer Letter. The event, presided over by H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung, Indian Ambassador to Cambodia, and H.E. Dr. Som Ratana, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, celebrated the achievements of the 41 ICCR Scholarship recipients. This marks a significant step in strengthening educational ties between India and Cambodia.
In his address, H.E. Ambassador Bawitlung congratulated the recipients of the ICCR scholarship and encouraged them to study hard to become positive contributors to society and to the growth of relations between India and Cambodia.
The Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers scholarships for Cambodian students pursuing higher education in India every year. These fully funded scholarships are part of India’s flagship cultural diplomacy initiatives, aiming to enhance educational and cultural relations between India and Cambodia. The scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses under various schemes such as Quad STEM, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme.
H.E. Dr. Som Ratana congratulated the 41 talented Cambodian students on receiving fully funded ICCR scholarships to study at leading Indian universities. He also thanked the Government of India, ICCR, and the Indian Embassy for supporting Cambodia’s human capital development. He noted that these scholarships align with Cambodia’s Education Strategic Plan 2024-2028 and the Pentagonal Strategy, focusing on quality education, digital learning, and Centres of Excellence. He encouraged the students to embrace the opportunity with dedication, emphasizing their future roles as leaders who will contribute to Cambodia’s transformation.
A member of the Cambodia-India Alumni Association also spoke at the event, sharing their experiences of studying in India. They encouraged the new scholarship recipients to remain dedicated in their academic pursuits and expressed confidence that the students, upon their return, would become valuable contributors to Cambodia’s development. They conveyed their gratitude to the Government and People of India, especially the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh, for their continued support and generous scholarship opportunities.
India is home to one of the largest and most advanced higher education systems in the world. Indian degrees are widely respected internationally, and alumni of Indian institutions have made substantial contributions in various academic and professional fields. Key academic qualifications offered in India include Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees, typically spanning three, two, and three or more years, respectively. Diploma and certificate programs of shorter duration are also available. High-quality education at an affordable cost, the availability of diverse academic programs, and strong cultural ties between Cambodia and India continue to make India an attractive destination for Cambodian students seeking higher education.