Two students from Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia namely Mr. Leav Kimlay and Mr. Yann Aoudourm were awarded with golden and motivational prizes respectively, from the European Commission Essay Competition on “The Mekong as a Force of Development in Cambodia: Challenges and Opportunities”. The contestants were from 17 universities and study institutions in Cambodia.

Mr Leav Kimlay is a senior student majoring in economics. In the past years, he worked and volunteered in various youth led organizations. Currently, he is a member of United Nations Youth Advisory Penal in Cambodia. Mr. Aoudourm is a junior student majoring in political science. He used to be a youth rep and a national board council member of Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC), a president of Pannasastra Student Senate (PASS), a student consultant and advisor at Silla University, South Korea, and a teacher of English. He recently awarded Gold Medal (First Place) from Cambodian Student Association in Japan (CSAJ) Essay Competition 2013, and 4^th Place Winners Awards from Oxfam America in Cambodia.

Taking place at the European Commission Residence in Phnom Penh on November 26^th, 2013, the awarding ceremony coincided with the celebration of the European Development Day October 27^th. Presided over by H.E Jean-François Cautain the Ambassador of the European Union to the Kingdom of Cambodia and H.E Say Samal Minister of Environment, the ceremony awarded 15 students in which five are the winners of photo competition.

“Our success, as a nation, is increasingly defined not just in economic terms but also by the talent of our people.” Said H.E Say Samal. Adding that young talents using digital camera and pen as instruments to express opinions, initiatives, and creativities reflecting the development process in the Mekong basin through their impressive work of arts and critical.

The European Commission in Cambodia organized photo and essay competitions about the Mekong as a new topic this year to mark the importance of this mighty river in the contribution for Cambodian development.