As the bilateral cooperation between China and Cambodia on education and health care advances, a medical university in southwest China Yunnan Province has become a top choice for Cambodian medical students.
Kunming Medical University, one of the best medical institutes in the bordering province of Yunnan, has been a leading university in China-Cambodia education cooperation. To date, the university has enrolled about 60 Cambodian students. Among them is Toem Leakhena, a postgraduate majoring in cardiology, who got a Chinese name Lina here.
"Medicine is a broad field, and I want to dive deeper into one specific area. (What I am particularly interested in is) some of the advanced practices here, like cardiac ultrasound and catheter ablation for arrhythmia. I am particularly interested in these two," said Toem.
Many of the Cambodian graduates decided to return home. With sophisticated skills and advanced technologies, they have contributed to Cambodia's medical system, as well as the reputation of the Chinese university.
"We brought some innovative, minimally invasive surgical techniques from China, such as laparoscopic surgery. In the past, we had to make large incisions of about 10 centimeters to remove stones. Now, we are introducing standardized and minimized surgical treatments. This allows patients to receive much better medical care," said Chun Bunhak, a Kunming Medical University graduate who now works at a military hospital in Phnom Penh.
The stories of Chun and other alumni have been an inspiration for Lina and her colleagues.
"I hope to apply the knowledge and skills I've gained here to my future work, and I also aspire to contribute to the cooperation and exchange in the medical field between China and Cambodia," said Toem.
"After I graduate, I will return to Cambodia to work as a cardiologist," said her peer, Ly Sivfong.
The university vows further commitment to create more opportunities for young Cambodians and pioneer bilateral cooperation.
"In the future, we will leverage the South Asia and Southeast Asia Medical Education and Healthcare Alliance, led by Kunming Medical University, to integrate resources and enhance exchanges with member institutions, such as healthcare organizations and medical universities in Cambodia, to jointly advance talent development," said Liu Yajie, dean of the International Education School of Kunming Medical University.
Chinese medical university attracts Cambodian students, promoting bilateral exchange
