Background

In order to assist Cambodia’s rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, Japan resumed the provision of MEXT scholarship to Cambodia in 1992 in order to equip the new seeds of human resources to support the social base of the country. Thanks to this, many Cambodian students have pursued their dream of quality education in Japan, a home of the inspiration of cutting-edge technologies and the second largest economy in the world. In 1992, the first group of Cambodian students departed to study in Japan; this happened after the official ending of civil war in Cambodia. Since then, an ever increasing number of graduates of various scholarships, and even self-financed students, have returned home. They have been playing important roles within Cambodian society, be that of public servants, private sectors, academic institutions, or NGOs.
With a significant increase in number of alumni’s presence in Cambodia, a group of Cambodian students graduated from academic institutions in Japan, who share a common view on the importance of binding the alumni network, have initiated the establishment of Japan Alumni of Cambodia, better known as JAC. The first Tsudoi 集い (gathering) by founding members who had just graduated from Japan was in 1999. The Ministry of Interior approved the creation of JAC on July 5th, 2002. The official establishment of JAC was held on August 31, 2002. In June 2006, JAC was formally accepted as a member of ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA). Being a member of ASCOJA, JAC cultivates further opportunity of growth and extension of network beyond Cambodia.

 

JAC Members
Cambodian students who graduated from universities or any academic institutions including short-term training in Japan either under private or government-sponsored programs are eligible to be a member of JAC. Currently, JAC has approximately 800 registered members, making this association one of the oldest and biggest alumni associations of Cambodians studying overseas.

 

Our Goal
Our goal is to become a strong “Social and Brain Network” of Cambodian graduates from Japan that can effectively contribute to the development of Cambodia, and the promotion of Cambodia-Japan bilateral relations and beyond.

 

Our Objectives

  • To bind and strengthen social network of Japan alumni
  • To bind and strengthen the network of Japan alumni with Japanese community network as well as other institutions which support our goal
  • To promote cultural exchanges between Cambodia and Japan, and beyond
  • To promote academic exchanges through dissemination of theses, and academic seminars
  • To provide information related to life and study in Japan, as well as the information related to professional societies in Cambodia
  • To promote community service through the form of charity programs especially in the field of education

 

Our Activities
There are four main categories of activities that JAC carries. The actual content, scope and scale of the activities can be adjusted or expanded according to the development of JAC.

  • Social Networking
  • Academic Exchanges
  • Cultural Exchanges
  • Community Service

 

Some of our highlighted activities:

  1. Annual Gathering of Japan Alumni twice a year: Khmer New Year in April and JAC Bonenkai party in December.
  2. Experience sharing via Public talks, career talks, or other seminars.
  3. Recruitment of students for youth exchange program in Japan: NIYE Junior Program in Oct/Nov, Toshiba Youth Camp Asia in March, EACAT homestay program in Oct/Nov.

Disbursement of scholarships to university students in technical, engineering, and agricultural field. Every year, at least10 students from NTTI and Preak Leap National College of Agriculture have received the scholarship from JAC.

 

  • Internal Career & Professional Talk