KAPE hosted a study visit of Thai students, teachers and directors from Thailand to Cambodia from 17 to 20 September 2016. The purpose of the visit was to learn more about the history and experience the culture of Cambodia especially for the teachers who were interested in teaching English. The twelve delegates visit was coordinated by Ms Hem Mary, KAPE’s Inclusive Education Program (IEP) manager.

One of the main aims of this study visit was to improve the cooperative efforts between KAPE and Bouriram College, Thailand in exchanging experiences related to social, cultural and educational issues in Cambodia compared to Thailand. The teachers, students and school directors learned a lot from this study trip in which they were able to visit Angkor Wat temple, take a boat trip to visit handicraft village, visit the old market, Phnom Krom mountains, night market, pub-street, foot massage, etc.

After visiting tourism sites in Siem Reap the delegates continued to KAPE office to be welcomed by the KAPE’s vice director, Hin Simhuon in Kampong Cham city. Here in Kampong Cham, the delegates were also able to visit the provincial tourism sites including Phnom Han Chey, Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey mountains, Nokor Bachey temple were they watched a children’s drama performance and then held a reflection session while returning by boat on the Mekong river.

In addition, the delegates were invited to visit the Cambodian national museum, the Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng killing fields’ museum. To learn more about education in Cambodia the delegates visited Passerelles Numerique Cambodia (PNC) a tertiary institute in Phnom Penh that specializes in I.C.T. and while there they observed courses in IT, Web Programming and System Network Administration. The delegates then went to learn of the experiences of New Generation School (NGS) implementation at Preah Sisovath high school, in which they showed considerable interest.

This diversified cultural, historical and educational trip encouraged the visiting delegates to understand more about Cambodia and to appreciate that KAPE is now a very dynamic partner. KAPE has had its cooperative efforts improved by working with Bouriram college in order to develop the young human resources.