By Lisa Smyth
Belfast Telegraph (UK)
A lecturer from the University of Ulster is trying to raise funds to travel to Cambodia to help improve third level education in the country.
Dr David Roberts has been approached by a university in Phnom Penh asking him for help as the country struggles to rebuild after the genocide led by Pol Pot.
While Dr Roberts, who spent time living in the war-torn country as part of his own academic research, recognises the importance of developing a partnership, he is restricted by a lack of finances.
" At the moment I am looking for money to help pay for me to travel and work with the university," he said.
"I'm not sure when I will be able to go. I may have to take time off work or go during my holidays but I believe it is vitally important that I do something to help."
Dr Roberts, a lecturer in international politics and peace and conflict studies, is adamant the people of Cambodia must be equipped with the tools to allow them to develop their country.
"Many people were murdered during the civil unrest and now it is a matter of providing a proper education for the people left behind so they can help themselves. At the moment, there is a whole generation of experts missing.
"I would hope to help them develop a faculty in development studies. They should be able to home-grow their own experts and not rely on people from other countries. Why should they be dependent on the rest of the world to take action?
"They need to build up their own local resources but they need help to begin to do this and that is why I would like to get involved.
"I think it is very important that we do what we can to help at this stage because ordinary people throughout Cambodia will benefit if we can help them rebuild their university and help them develop their country."
Dr David Roberts has been approached by a university in Phnom Penh asking him for help as the country struggles to rebuild after the genocide led by Pol Pot.
While Dr Roberts, who spent time living in the war-torn country as part of his own academic research, recognises the importance of developing a partnership, he is restricted by a lack of finances.
" At the moment I am looking for money to help pay for me to travel and work with the university," he said.
"I'm not sure when I will be able to go. I may have to take time off work or go during my holidays but I believe it is vitally important that I do something to help."
Dr Roberts, a lecturer in international politics and peace and conflict studies, is adamant the people of Cambodia must be equipped with the tools to allow them to develop their country.
"Many people were murdered during the civil unrest and now it is a matter of providing a proper education for the people left behind so they can help themselves. At the moment, there is a whole generation of experts missing.
"I would hope to help them develop a faculty in development studies. They should be able to home-grow their own experts and not rely on people from other countries. Why should they be dependent on the rest of the world to take action?
"They need to build up their own local resources but they need help to begin to do this and that is why I would like to get involved.
"I think it is very important that we do what we can to help at this stage because ordinary people throughout Cambodia will benefit if we can help them rebuild their university and help them develop their country."
1 comment:
To: Dr David Roberts
If you programs succeed in Cambodia and a major boulevard will be named after you and a very big statue bigger than the Vietcong monument will be built in your honor for your dedication your honor and your name will live forever in Cambodian history book!
Sir! I wish you the very best!
Post a Comment