The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Fisheries Administration (FiA) are joining forces in a series of workshops aimed at enhancing fisheries education in Cambodia. Four prominent universities, namely the Royal University of Agriculture, Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture, Kampong Cham National Institute of Agriculture, and Kratie University, are actively participating in this initiative, generously funded by the European Union (EU).
Beyond bolstering institutional capacity in fisheries education, the project seeks to equip university students with the latest knowledge, skills, and competencies essential for meeting the evolving demands of the job market. The workshops, held in Siem Reap province from November 13 to 17 and from December 4 to 8, are integral to broader efforts to strengthen fisheries management in Cambodia. The goal is to cultivate a new generation of professionals capable of navigating the challenges in this rapidly evolving sector.
Eric Baran, International Fisheries Research Specialist at FAO Cambodia, explained the initiative’s responsiveness to faculties’ demands for assistance in reviewing and updating fisheries curriculum. This ensures alignment with current knowledge, technologies, and the dynamic landscape of the local, regional, and international fisheries job market.
Hem Virak, Director of Kampong Cham National Institute of Agriculture, expressed appreciation for the unique support in curriculum revision and development, facilitated through collaboration with lecturers from other universities. Phen Sovatdy, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment at Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the unprecedented coordination among the four universities.
During the workshops, deans, professors, stakeholders, and key industry players conducted detailed assessments of lesson-learning outcomes for fisheries subjects. The aim was to enhance the relevance of the curriculum to sector needs and industry demands. Lecturers and university management staff provided valuable feedback and shared practical experiences on existing curriculum and syllabi.
The initial workshops in Siem Reap saw the participation of 30 representatives from the government and the four universities. The ongoing sessions target contributions from a total of 60 stakeholders. Subsequent to these workshops, the revised curriculum and syllabi will undergo finalization and validation before submission to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport for approval, setting the norm for years to come.
FAO’s support extends to facilitating exchanges between FiA and the four universities. A program connecting fourth-year Bachelor of Science students with 20 provincial FiA Cantonments has been developed. These Cantonments host students for six months, where they undertake research theses on relevant subjects before spending another six months assisting with management tasks and gaining professional experience.
The curriculum improvement initiative for the Bachelor of Science in Fisheries receives funding from the EU under the FAO Complementary Support to the Cambodia Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector, spanning from 2019 to 2024. This effort falls under a specific component focused on enhancing knowledge of fisheries management, encompassing support for priority research activities.
Source: Khmer Times
