On October 27, 2026, Senior Minister Ly Thuch, Chairman of Cambodia’s National Committee for ESCAP, presided over the signing of an agreement to jointly establish the Cambodia–China College of Excellent Engineers at the special economic zone in Preah Sihanouk province. The project aims to train highly skilled Cambodian engineers to meet economic development needs and prepare for Cambodia’s planned graduation from least developed country (LDC) status in 2029. The cooperation is supported by Ling Jianjun, founder of Lingzhi Equipment Group, with participation from Jiangnan University in China, the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, the Royal University of Agriculture, Jiangsu General Science & Technology Co., Ltd. and the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone company, to advance Cambodia–China Belt and Road cooperation in education, technology and industry.
Ly Thuch said establishing the college was consistent with the government’s Pentagonal Strategy under Prime Minister Hun Manet, which prioritises human-resource development and the Cambodia–China Industrial Development Corridor. He stressed that graduation from LDC status in 2029 requires Cambodia to improve people’s capabilities and technical skills to remain internationally competitive. The project is expected to help narrow human-resource gaps and increase the number of Cambodian engineers able to work in modern production chains, reducing reliance on foreign engineers over the next 10 years.
Under the agreement, the Cambodia–China College of Excellent Engineers will initially recruit 20 Cambodian students for master’s studies in food engineering, chemistry, smart industry and mechanical fields. Alongside theoretical study, students will undertake at least six months of practical work at factories in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, using real enterprise problems as research topics and earning legally recognised degrees. The initiative seeks to connect education with industry needs and strengthen Cambodia’s human-resource capacity for sustainable economic development. By: Sopheak
