PM Hun Manet Emphasizes Value of Education - Investing in Human Capital for National Development

Prime Minister Hun Manet on the morning of July 21, 2026, presided over the graduation ceremony for students of the University of South-East Asia in Siem Reap. Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his admiration for the efforts of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and the university for their foresight in contributing to human capital development alongside the government. He emphasized that the meaning of education is an invaluable asset that cannot be lost, and the achievements of today are the collective fruits of students, guardians, professors, and the school administration, reflecting the increase in qualified human resources to drive sustainable national socio-economic development and enhance Cambodia's competitiveness in the context of globalization and artificial intelligence (AI). The government has always considered "people" as an indispensable resource for national socio-economic development, striving to cultivate Cambodian citizens, especially youth and children, to possess broad knowledge, genuine skills, ethics, discipline, and robust physical and mental health, aiming to respond better and more promptly to the needs of national development, the job market, and national defense. In this regard, the government of the 7th legislature of the National Assembly will accelerate the reform of the education and vocational training sectors in Cambodia to be more effective, practical, and equitable by implementing strategic policies and in-depth reform programs in all forms, aiming to fully harness the potential of the "demographic dividend" that Cambodia currently enjoys. The government continues to pay high attention to investment in the social sector, focusing on three main goals: (1) ensuring citizens have good health, (2) possessing knowledge and skills, and (3) having employment opportunities to achieve independence and self-reliance. Alongside this, Prime Minister Hun Manet reiterated that for the 2027-2029 fiscal strategy plan, the growth in the national budget allocation for education and health sectors will increase, with no reduction in the budget for these two sectors. The budget for national defense will also be increased. Furthermore, despite the economic challenges, the government has released a significant budget to combat inflation and alleviate the burden on citizens through measures such as reducing taxes on fuel and electrical materials, and other initiatives. Prime Minister Hun Manet highly valued the contributions of the private sector, both domestic and foreign, in actively promoting the education sector, from primary to higher education, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The government continues to be open and always welcomes investment and participation from the private sector in both education and health, noting that cooperation between private schools and relevant ministries and institutions will create additional opportunities for youth, but the quality of education must be ensured as a priority. During the occasion, Prime Minister Hun Manet shared his life experiences and emphasized the important values of learning and work. He noted that while some lesson content might be forgotten, what remains are "mindset" and "attitude." He highlighted that great success comes from the combination of small successes (Think big, act small), and that success requires a long time, perseverance, and creativity or flexibility. A diploma alone cannot guarantee success without a vibrant, flexible, and highly responsible work attitude, as value creation is based on tangible work outcomes. Finally, Prime Minister Hun Manet advised the laureates to have the ambition to develop themselves in a positive direction, with humility (be humble), and pride in themselves, but without arrogance or looking down on others. He stated that knowledgeable individuals should be resilient but not stubborn, and should analyze problems based on science, not emotional reasoning. The virtue, attitude, and ethics of the knowledgeable are the true determinants of success.