The German Ambassador to Cambodia is actively seeking ways to reignite inspiration among Cambodian students, as the number of scholarship applicants to German universities has consistently fallen below the available opportunities. This effort also aims to strengthen the enduring friendship between the two nations.
The German embassy in Phnom Penh hosted a December 1 alumni gathering to reconnect Cambodians who had graduated or completed vocational training in Germany. Hundreds attended the event, including senior government officials who had studied in Germany, some tracing their academic roots back to the era of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), commonly known as East Germany.
Speaking to The Post, German ambassador Stefan Messerer described the alumni gathering as a vital bridge connecting Cambodia and Germany – a bridge of friendship built on shared cultural experiences among the alumni.
“Diplomacy, in the end, apart from political relations, is about people-to-people connections, and this is what truly matters. When people know each other, they can live together in peace. This is the most important thing to me,” he said.
The diverse group of alumni came from various backgrounds and now work in different sectors. Some pursued academic degrees, while others completed vocational training. All returned to Cambodia to play significant roles. Messerer likened the gathering to a classroom reunion where former “classmates” could reconnect.
According to the ambassador, Germany offers approximately 20 scholarships to Cambodian students annually, but application numbers remain disappointingly low. A particular challenge lies within the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, where most scholarships are concentrated.
“This is something I regret, and I believe we need to improve our promotion efforts. We offer about 20 highly challenging scholarships each year, and the number of applications is lower than the opportunities available,” he explained.
“We will adopt a different approach next time and utilise all available formal channels to promote our programmes. It’s not a requirement to speak German to study in Germany, whether at graduate or postgraduate levels. Having some German language ability can certainly be beneficial, though not strictly necessary,” he said.
Germany is one of the most cosmopolitan countries in Europe. One of the most well-known scholarship providers is the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), but there are several other providers on offer, such as DW-Akademie, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and scholarships offered directly by universities.
According to Messerer, public universities in Germany offer free admission, with students only responsible for their living costs. Full scholarship recipients are exempt from these expenses.
“This presents a unique opportunity. While the number of applications has decreased, I am actively working with our cultural attaché to bring more Cambodian students to Germany,” he said.
“My advice is not to be too hesitant. Just apply for the scholarships on offer. Keep pushing forward,” he added.
