Cambodia’s fledgling mines and energy sector could face a serious shortage of technical expertise if the country’s university-bound students are reluctant to enroll in geotechnical and petroleum engineering courses, despite the government promising lucrative jobs in the sectors. Chhe Lidin, director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s international cooperation and Asean affairs department said in a seminar yesterday that even though the country’s oil, gas and mining sectors had yet to take off, there was, however, great potential in the sector and university students should see their career prospects in the industries.
 

“Cambodia’s oil and gas sector needs talented Cambodian technicians and engineers,” said Mr. Lidin. “The energy sector is a big job market with lots of positions in the mining, power, oil and gas industries. University students should not turn down these opportunities,” he said.
 

But Kry Nallis, director of the geotechnical engineering faculty at the Royal University of Phnom Penh’s Technical Institute of Cambodia, said current enrolment for energy engineering courses were low due to concerns about job prospects upon graduation. “Every academic year, students raise concerns over the job market. They love this sector but are worried that there won’t be jobs for them when they graduate,” said Ms. Nallis.

 

-- © Copyright Khmer Times 24/08

 

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