On 12 March 2024, Mr. Wattanawit Gajaseni, Deputy Director – General, Acting Director – General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) jointly presided over the inauguration ceremony for the Department of Thai under the Project on the Development of Thai Language Teaching and Learning at the National University of Battambang (NUBB), together with H.E. Mr. Sok Khorn, Rector of NUBB, during which H.E. Mr. Cherdkiat Atthakor, Ambassador of Thailand to Cambodia, witnessed the ceremony. In this connection, both sides also visited the Department of Thai and classrooms during the event.

The aforementioned ceremony constitutes one of the activities under the project, initiated in 2013, wherein TICA, in collaboration with Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University (RBRU), has undertaken the development of short courses, elective courses, and the training of qualified personnel and teachers. Furthermore, the project involves the deployment of Friends From Thailand’s volunteers and the provision of extensive support for classroom facilities, teaching materials and equipment. The objective of this project is to enhance the capacity of the NUBB in delivering Thai language education, thereby equipping learners with proficient communication skills essential for daily living and income generation. As of present, the university has offered a B.A. program for those interested in studying Thai Language.

Additionally, Deputy Director – General co-chaired with Rector of NUBB the Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting to review the progress, discuss the ongoing activities and plan a way forward in 2024 and after project completion. The meeting was attended by committees from both sides, including TICA, Royal Thai Embassy, Phnom Penh, RBRU and staff from Department of Thai, NUBB. In this regard, both sides agreed to complete the ongoing activities in 2024, as the last year of the project, and will subsequently organize the final PSC meeting for the closure of the project.