Cambodian education minister to visit TroyTuesday October 2, 2007
By Matt Clower,
The Messenger (Troy, Alabama, USA)
A minister of education for the government of Cambodia will be meeting with officials at Troy University on campus Wednesday.
Dr. Kol Pheng is the Cambodian Senior Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports. He also serves as chairman of the board of Trustees for Pannasastra University of Cambodia.
University officials report that Kol is the highest-ranking foreign education official to visit the Troy campus.
Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., chancellor of Troy University, said the meeting with Kol was arranged through the university's relationship with former United Nations Ambassador Sichan Siv, who spoke at Troy's spring commencement in May.
Siv is a native of Cambodia who escaped forced labor camps in 1976.
"We have developed a close relationship with Ambassador Sichan Siv, who spoke at a recent commencement on our campus, and Ambassador Siv has strongly encouraged the Cambodian leadership to get to know us," Hawkins said. "We are encouraged by this visit from Dr. Kol and are encouraged by the outreach for Troy University."
While on the Troy Campus, Kol will meet with Hawkins, tour the campus and be briefed by senior academic leadership. He will also attend a luncheon with the faculty council.
In a statement released to the media on Monday, the University did not reveal what would be discussed with Kol during his meetings with school officials.
Following the luncheon, Kol will visit the Montgomery campus, where he will meet with Alabama Development Office Director Neal Wade, State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton, Sen. Wendell Mitchell and Rep. Alan Boothe.
Dr. Kol Pheng is the Cambodian Senior Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports. He also serves as chairman of the board of Trustees for Pannasastra University of Cambodia.
University officials report that Kol is the highest-ranking foreign education official to visit the Troy campus.
Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., chancellor of Troy University, said the meeting with Kol was arranged through the university's relationship with former United Nations Ambassador Sichan Siv, who spoke at Troy's spring commencement in May.
Siv is a native of Cambodia who escaped forced labor camps in 1976.
"We have developed a close relationship with Ambassador Sichan Siv, who spoke at a recent commencement on our campus, and Ambassador Siv has strongly encouraged the Cambodian leadership to get to know us," Hawkins said. "We are encouraged by this visit from Dr. Kol and are encouraged by the outreach for Troy University."
While on the Troy Campus, Kol will meet with Hawkins, tour the campus and be briefed by senior academic leadership. He will also attend a luncheon with the faculty council.
In a statement released to the media on Monday, the University did not reveal what would be discussed with Kol during his meetings with school officials.
Following the luncheon, Kol will visit the Montgomery campus, where he will meet with Alabama Development Office Director Neal Wade, State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton, Sen. Wendell Mitchell and Rep. Alan Boothe.
