BRI paves the way to success in work life

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia — Eiv Thuna, 20, a Cambodian student, is proud to have earned a scholarship to study at the Sihanoukville Institute of Business and Technology, or SIBT, expressing her hope for a brighter future as the school has been providing her with both professional skills and Chinese language proficiency.

The tuition-free SIBT is a university-level school that was jointly founded by the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Commerce, or WXIC, of China and the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, or SSEZ.

Born into a poor family in Takeo Province, Thuna could not afford to study at a university after she graduated from high school. Fortunately she learned about SIBT's full four-year scholarships from a friend. She applied for it and was granted the scholarship last year.

Now Thuna is in her second year at the SIBT, pursuing business management. She studies in the evening and works during the day at the SSEZ.

She excels in her studies and has artistic talent. She has learned to play the cucurbit flute and to sing Chinese songs from the school's principal. In May she won a prize in the finals of the Chinese Bridge, a Chinese proficiency competition, in Cambodia.

The salary she earns not only covers her expenses but also helps to alleviate the financial burden on her family. She has become the main breadwinner for the household.

Language proficiency

Thuna said the SIBT is a place where she can fulfill her dream as it has provided her with both knowledge and know-how, besides Chinese language proficiency.

"I feel grateful and I want to work here to the best of my capacity, knowledge and skills."

"I would like to thank the SSEZ for establishing this school, which has allowed poor students to pursue their university studies, and I wish the SSEZ greater success," she said.

Khoeun Sreynot, a senior student at the SIBT, said the school has offered four-year scholarships to students, with free accommodation and that both foreign and domestic lecturers are very capable.

"All studies at this business institute are free of charge, and lecturers are very responsible for their duties."

A native of Prey Veng Province, the 23-year-old is confident that after her four-year study she will master Chinese language proficiency.

"I would like to work in the administration department at the SSEZ because the major I am learning is logistics management. I really thank the SSEZ for having granted scholarships to me and other students."

SIBT's executive principal Li Chuanbin said the school, opened in 2019, aims to help students become mid-level management experts in Cambodia.

"They may take on roles such as human resources executives or assistant general managers in enterprises within the SSEZ. Additionally, they could apply for positions as civil servants in government departments or work as teachers in secondary schools."

Situated northeast of the international deep-water Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, the SSEZ has transformed the former fishing village into a bustling town full of good infrastructure, phone shops, markets and restaurants.

Xinhua