The Confucius Institute of the Cambodia University of Technology and Science (CamTech), which is located in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, held a school-opening ceremony for its first intake of students on Feb 24.

The Federation of Khmer Chinese in Cambodia. [Photo/WeChat account: NJUIT1918]

Founded by the Nanjing Vocational University of Industry Technology and the Federation of Khmer Chinese in Cambodia in November 2022, the Confucius Institute is the world's first of its kind that offers Chinese and professional education at the same time. It is aimed at cultivating young Cambodian professionals who are proficient in Chinese. Three hundred and twenty students are currently studying at the institute.

During the opening ceremony, Yang Shubing, deputy director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, expressed hope that Nanjing Vocational University of Industry Technology can develop a variety of programs to meet Cambodia's demand for talents and that students can acquire more Chinese and professional knowledge and help strengthen the friendship between China and Cambodia.

He added that Jiangsu hopes to collaborate with Cambodia to make the Confucius Institute a model for international educational cooperation.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Cambodia, and the governments of the two countries had at the beginning of the year issued a joint statement about forging closer relations, Yang noted.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian and Cambodian Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Dr. Hang Chuon Naron also attended the ceremony.