The Ministry of Tourism and Saint Paul Institute Collaborate to Promote Tourism Vocational Training in Takeo Provinces and Surrounding areas
TAKEO PROVINCE: On February 19, 2026, Her Excellency Vann Sereyrath, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism and High Representative of His Excellency Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism, presided over the opening ceremony of the workshop entitled "Higher Education in Tourism, Vocational Training, and Career Opportunities within the Tourism Sector" at the Saint Paul Institute. The event was attended by Mr. Chuob Ratana, Director of Tourism Professional Training Department; Mr. Kong Dara, Representative of Swisscontact; Dr. Phon Sophal, Director of Saint Paul Institute; representatives from the Takeo Provincial Department of Tourism; and 150 faculty members and students from Saint Paul Institute and Saint Francois Private General and Technical High School.
The workshop was organized to promote vocational training within national and ASEAN frameworks, disseminate information on career opportunities in tourism, and broaden technical education. Furthermore, it aimed to strengthen cooperation between Saint Paul Institute, Saint Francois High School, the Ministry of Tourism, and relevant stakeholders in human resource development to align with labor market demands and the strategic policies of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
Dr. Phon Sophal stated that Saint Paul Institute is the sole Catholic higher education institution in Cambodia and a member of the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACU). The institute provides scholarships to underprivileged and general students for Associate and Bachelor’s degrees in: (1) Tourism Management, (2) Agronomy, (3) Information Technology, (4) Social Work, and (5) English Literature. Additionally, technical vocational training is provided to high school students for three years, equivalent to the National Baccalaureate (Bac.II). Dr. Sophal added that post-graduation assessments show 97% of graduates secure employment in the tourism and related sectors with salaries starting from $250, while others establish private enterprises. Data from 2018 to 2024 reveals that 54.54% of students continued their studies, 12.12% both worked and studied, 29% were employed, 3.46% opened businesses, and only 0.86% were unemployed.
In her keynote address, Her Excellency Vann Sereyrath expressed high commendation for Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, founder of Saint Paul Institute and Saint Francois High School, for his immense contribution to developing human resources and vocational skills for vulnerable youth in the region through infrastructure development, scholarships, and job placement assistance. Simultaneously, she highlighted that under the leadership of Minister Huot Hak, the Ministry of Tourism is diversifying services and events to attract more international and domestic tourists. This initiative aims to create jobs, increase local income, stimulate "on-site exports," and contribute to national economic growth and environmental protection in pursuit of the Cambodia 2050 Vision.
Through this seminar, participants gained comprehensive insights into international tourism trends, career orientation in vocational tourism, and the social communication skills necessary for professional success.
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