AKP Phnom Penh, July 17, 2025 --

Forty-one (41) Cambodian students have gained admission to prestigious Indian universities, including the University of Delhi, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, among others, to pursue their undergraduate, postgraduate including Master’s and PhD programmes for the academic year 2025-26.

On July 16, the Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh organised an event to distribute the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Scholarship Offer Letter, under the presidency of H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung, Indian Ambassador to Cambodia, and H.E. Dr. Som Ratana, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The event celebrated the achievements of the 41 ICCR Scholarship recipients, marking a significant step in strengthening educational ties between the two nations.

In his address, H.E. Ambassador Bawitlung congratulated the recipients of ICCR scholarship and encouraged them to study hard so that they can all become positive contributors to the society and to the growth of the relations between India and Cambodia.

According to the embassy, the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers scholarship for Cambodian students pursuing higher education in India every year. These fully funded scholarships are part of India’s flagship cultural diplomacy initiatives, aiming to enhancing educational and cultural relations between India and Cambodia. These Scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses under various schemes such as Quad STEM, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship scheme.

H.E. Dr. Som Ratana congratulated the 41 talented Cambodian students on receiving fully funded ICCR scholarship to study at leading Indian universities. He also thanked the Government of India, ICCR, and the Indian Embassy for supporting Cambodia’s human capital development. These scholarships align with our Education Strategic Plan 2024–2028 and the Pentagonal Strategy, focusing on quality education, digital learning, and Centres of Excellence. “Students — embrace this opportunity with dedication. You are future leaders, and your success will fuel Cambodia’s transformation. This partnership strengthens our enduring Cambodia–India friendship through shared growth, education, and people-to-people ties,” he said.

Member of the Cambodia-India Alumni Association also spoke at the event, sharing their experiences of studying in India. They encouraged the new scholarship recipients to remain dedicated in their academic pursuits and expressed confidence that the students, upon their return, would become valuable contributors to Cambodia’s development. They also conveyed their sincere gratitude to the Government and People of India, especially the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh, for their continued support and generous scholarship opportunities.

India is home to one of the largest and most advanced higher education systems in the world. Indian degrees are widely respected internationally, and alumni of Indian institutions have made substantial contributions in various academic and professional fields. Key academic qualifications offered in India include Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees, typically spanning three, two, and three or more years respectively. Diploma and certificate programs of shorter duration are also available. High-quality education at an affordable cost, the availability of diverse academic programs, and strong cultural ties between Cambodia and India continue to make India an attractive destination for Cambodian students seeking higher education.

By C. Nika