PHNOM PENH: The Embassy of India in Phnom Penh was celebrated the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day on 26 February, 2019. To mark the occasion, H.E. Manika Jain, Ambassador of India will be hosted a reception which will be attended by more than 200 prominent ITEC alumni from Cambodia. Along with H.E. Eat Sophea, Secretary of State, Ministry Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation and H.E. Dr. Sao Chivoan, Secretary of State, Ministry of Rural Development and President, Cambodian India Alumni Association, H.E. Men Saman, Secretary of State, Ministry of Information and various other local dignitaries and senior government officials as Guests of Honour. H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs of Kingdom of Cambodia is expected to be the Chief Guest.
The ITEC programme of the Government of India was launched on 15th September, 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance to 158 developing countries. This was a part of India’s initiative at South-South cooperation and is a visible symbol of India’s role in developmental programmes globally. In additional to various bilateral cooperation programmes under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation, capacity building by way of organizing training programmes in the fields of administration, accountancy, governance, IT, banking, information technology, energy, management, tourism, law enforcement etc. for officials of Ministries and departments of Cambodia. Under this programme, the Government of India bears full airfare, accommodation, transportation, course fees as well as a living allowance, a book allowance and medical facilities. In addition, all participants are taken on study tours to familiarize themselves with the history and culture of India.
So far, more than 1600 Cambodian nationals working in various Ministries, departments, autonomous bodies such as National Bank of Cambodia, Electricite du Cambodge etc. have benefited from training programmes in the respective field of their work. During current Financial Year 2018-19 more than 150 Cambodian nationals have been sent for training in courses in multi-disciplinary areas. These courses are fully utilized by Cambodia and are highly appreciated by the Government of Cambodia for their role in capacity building and human resource development. Keeping in view the utility of courses in capacity building, Embassy of India in Phnom Penh has commenced organization of customized courses as per the need of the Ministry for various groups.
Cambodia-India Alumni Association (CIAA) presided by H.E. Dr. Sao Chivoan, Secretary of State, Ministry of Rural Development is engaged in strengthening the network of ITEC and ICCR alumni and bringing them closer for better utilization of the skills and expertise acquired by ITEC trainees and ICCR students and to share their experience and knowledge. Under Indian Council for Cultural Relations’ Mekong Ganga Cooperation Scholarship Scheme and General Cultural Scholarship Scheme of Government of India, Cambodian students are offered scholarship in the fields of humanity, science, engineering, IT, commerce, management etc. for Bachelor, Master or Ph.D. degrees in renowned Universities, Institutions of India with excellent education.
