In addition to the prepared text, which is not available in English, Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen made the following comments on research and dissertation preparation, and overall education issues.
… Before the Khmer New Year, at the Royal University of Agriculture at Chamkar Daung, I made a number of recommendations to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as well as all lecturers to pay attention to and give consideration on doing research and writing dissertation. I suggested that any dissertation writing should be of practical use for area from where the experience is being studied and analyzed in dissertations. Take for instance, a dissertation on animal husbandry of a particular place and species, etc. should bear the recommendation and proposal for that particular area or species of animal researched.
… There is indeed a dual benefit in doing that. The research and dissertation would illustrate the researchers’ understanding of the topic of study. Also, a reciprocation of knowledge should be helpful for people or farmer in the research area on any dimension of related know-how and knowledge. With regard to the first benefit, writing a dissertation is a final phase upon which students will have to make use of knowledge given by professors in theory in making field-decisions. This is the best and most advanced methodology that is widely used all over the world. Taking my own experience into consideration, in between the 1980 and 1990, I wrote a thesis in relation to political science, mainly about people’s democracy and its procedure…
… In Cambodia people’s democracy and the creation of a win-win situation have brought about peace in a complete cessation of war. Take for instance, based on my vision of people’s democracy, I have managed to phase out various complications in the interests of our people, take for instance the re-configuration of fishing area that belongs to the state allowed more fishing area to the people. Though it has been reformed late, still it is done now for the sake of the people. My policy has always been people-driven. Some people blamed me for “close” relationship to China. I doubt did not they see also when I presided over the signatory ceremony to accept assistance from the United States, Japan, the European Union, etc. I would not give be responding to such an absurd remark because whatever I would do would be for the supreme interest of the Cambodian people…
… A dissertation, I would compare it to the software that you write it yourself and that you would never forget it easily. You might lose some of the things given by your professors, lecturers, but as I said you would not lose your software easily. This is a situation not only for the students but for all the people and also for senior officials of the Royal Government. Minister of Information has the obligation to do his own research on information related development, and so do other Ministers in other fields. I would share with you some of my experience while launching the win-win policy. A lot of time was spent but not in vain. I spent my time sitting with the rank and file of the KR forces, some time I had meals with them, so as to listen to them what do they exactly want.
… I could not afford to go to bed with the idea of continuing fighting as doing so would result in nothing but destruction of own nation. After doing so, I came up with three essential elements for the win-win policy – first, provide those soldiers and officials with life security, second, job and position security, and third, wealth security. In those days, the Asiaweek Magazine, now out of print, printed my picture with a title Grandmaster. It wrote that I traveled to Takhmao, which is known to many as a tiger lair, and a chess player who prepared for the breaking down of the Khmer Rouge organization… All these came out of efforts and studies, an essential part of which bore from listening to those people, and because of which the policy was formulated in successful response to the situation.
… Any research deems useful only when it is being done for relative benefit of the researched area, in conformity with its need and that of the society as a whole. A research is useful when it gives answers to right questions that are rightly asked. As for the number of students I noticed has increased, I would reckon that my contribution of one ton of rice and one million Riel per month for poor students would not be enough. Therefore, HE Heng Peo together with me would contribute an addition of one ton of rice and two million Riel per month. I used to be a poor student myself, so I understand well how poor student have to cope with all sorts of difficulties. But I would argue that it is not always true to say children, who are well fed and living in comfort are doing well always at school. Take for instance some took their free time to join car race…
… Your generation is by far different from mine as you have schools all around you as in the old days no such good school buildings in sight. Now we have to pay attention in providing more school facilities for students who have finished their primary educations, for which situation in some place we have resolved to build additional building either in or adjacent to the primary facilities… We have thousands of students, needs for school building and teachers will have to be taken for into account, while efforts have to be made to create jobs for annual graduation…
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