On the morning of 24 December 2024, His Excellency UN Kheang, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, representative of His Excellency PRAK Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received a courtesy call by the awardees of the Australia Awards Scholarships and Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships for the 2025 academic year at the Ministry.

During the meeting, His Excellency Secretary of State congratulated and praised the awardees for their high achievements.  He shared his personal experiences of studying and living abroad. He encouraged the awardees to study hard, engage with the Cambodian diaspora communities, and share Cambodia's social and economic progress with them.  As a foreign student, each awardee is an ambassador representing Cambodia and promoting Cambodia’s culture and civilization to Australian and New Zealand societies.  The Secretary of State also reminds the awardees of their obligation to return home upon completing their studies so that Cambodia will not face the issue of brain drain. 

At the end of the meeting, representatives of the awardees expressed their deepest gratitude to His Excellency Secretary of State for the invaluable advice and expressed their commitment to studying hard and obtaining extensive knowledge in their respective fields to contribute to Cambodia’s socio-economic development.