France Honors Cambodian Graduates with New Visa Program at Second World Alumni Day

The Embassy of France in Cambodia celebrated the Second World Alumni Day on May 24, 2024, recognizing over 500 Cambodian students who graduated from French institutions in 2023. The event, held at the Résidence de France, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport Hang Chuon Naron.

This celebration was part of the global France Alumni Day, which spanned from May 11 to 24, 2024, featuring nearly 220 functions across 90 countries. The France Alumni network, launched in 2014, now boasts nearly 400,000 members in 128 countries.

Fabrice Etienne, the Embassy's chargé d'affaires, highlighted the strong cooperation in higher education between France and Cambodia. He noted the visits to France by King Norodom Sihamoni, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, and current Prime Minister Hun Manet within a single year, emphasizing the close ties between the two nations.

During the event, it was announced that circulation visas would be issued to alumni with a Master's degree or higher, effective immediately. These short-stay Schengen visas will be valid for one to five years and cover 29 European countries, including Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. The visa allows alumni to stay for a total of 90 days, either continuously or split into half-yearly periods, within the validity of their passports.

The introduction of circulation visas for Cambodian alumni with Master's degrees or higher has significant implications for academic and professional mobility between France and Cambodia. This development could lead to increased collaboration and exchange in various fields, promoting stronger ties between the two nations.

Fabrice Etienne emphasized the benefits of French higher education, stating, "By choosing French higher education, you have acquired language skills, academic knowledge, open-mindedness, and experience that offer unique employment and career prospects both in Cambodia and internationally."

The France Alumni Cambodge network, launched in November 2015, currently has nearly 900 Cambodian alumni registered on its website. Each year, around 150 new Cambodian students go to France for their studies, with over 800 currently studying there, mostly on scholarships. These scholarships are provided through various programs, including France Excellence, Eiffel Excellence, Erasmus, and Specialized and Advanced Specialized Medical Training (DFMS/DFMSA).

Cambodia also has 15 universities that are members of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, further strengthening the educational ties between the two nations. The ongoing collaboration includes numerous scientific partnerships with French institutions like IRD and CIRAD.

The Second World Alumni Day not only celebrated the achievements of Cambodian graduates but also reinforced the enduring relationship between France and Cambodia in higher education. The introduction of circulation visas marks a significant step in facilitating greater academic and professional mobility for Cambodian alumni.

Key Takeaways

• France celebrated 2nd World Alumni Day, recognizing 500+ Cambodian students who graduated from French institutions in 2023.
• France Alumni network has nearly 400,000 members in 128 countries, launched in 2014.
• Cambodian alumni with Master's degrees or higher can now get circulation visas for 1-5 years, covering 29 European countries.
• France and Cambodia have strong higher education ties, with 150 new students going to France each year, mostly on scholarships.
• Cambodia has 15 universities in the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, strengthening educational ties with France.