Cambodian education minister: I’m proud of Turkish school students

Cambodian Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron. (Photo: Cihan)
Cambodian Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron. (Photo: Cihan)


Date posted: November 10, 2015

BİLAL DEĞİRMENCİ / PHNOM PENH

Hosting students from a Turkish high school who won a total of four medals in an international environmental project Olympiad called the “ASEAN+3 Junior Science Odyssey” (APT JSO) in his office, Cambodian Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron congratulated them, saying he is proud of the Turkish school students.

Turkish schools established by education volunteers from a faith-based movement inspired by the teachings of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen receive widespread praise due to the quality of the education they provide internationally.

Minister Naron expressed his thanks to executives of Zaman, a high school established by the volunteers of the faith-based Gülen movement that “contributes to the education of Cambodia” and wished the students continued success. Receiving information from Zaman High School Principal Gürkan Çil about other Turkish schools and project Olympiads, the minister added that he will write a report to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, asking him for a meeting with Çil.

Supported by the ASEAN+3 Center for the Gifted in Science (ACGS), the APT JSO is designed to develop the gifts and talents of individuals between 13 and 15 years of age in the field of science and technology and to nurture future scientists and engineers. A total of 81 students from 13 countries attended the Olympiad this year.

Zaman High School students in Cambodia also received two gold, four silver and three bronze medals for 10 projects they designed for an international high school competition on environmental issues called “The GENIUS Science Olympiad,” in which 1,176 projects were put forward by students from 69 countries. Since the first Genius Olympiad in 2011, students from the Zaman High School have won 24 medals in total: six gold, 10 silver and eight bronze.

Thai minister thanks Turkish schools for contributing to education

Visiting a college within the Marmara Education Institutions in Thailand, Thai Prime Ministry Undersecretary Panadda Diskul expressed his gratitude to the Turkish schools, saying they contribute a lot to Thailand’s education.

Ufuk Civelek and Ömer Faruk Karaçam, executive board chairman and general director of the Marmara Education Institutions, accompanied Diskul during his visit to Elmas College on Sunday.

Walking around the physics and chemistry laboratories of the college, Diskul examined experiments done by the students and asked questions about them. The minister received a painting with his name written in ebru (paper marbling) art as a present from Civelek.

Before leaving the school, Diskul talked to students’ parents waiting in the school yard and said: “I’m very impressed by my visit [to Elmas College]. I saw a great school with good teachers.”

Source: Today's Zaman , November 09, 2015


Related News

Diplomatic Row over Gulen Influence in Africa

Turkey’s relations with African countries have been strained following demands by the Turkish government to close Gulenist schools in Sudan, Nigeria, and Somalia. After the attempted coup in Turkey on July 15, which the Turkish government has accused Gulen of masterminding, Turkey’s ambassador to Nigeria called for 17 Gulenist schools in the country to be closed.

17 Nigerian-Turkish schools caught in Ankara coup crossfire

The Turkish president actually requested 170 countries where the schools are established and run for the same favour, but while only two, including Somalia, obliged on the grounds of their indebtedness to Turkey, the other countries have either refused or are undecided as they asked for proof of Erdogan’s claim.

Nigerian Turkish schools denies links to Turkey coup

The management of the Nigerian-Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) says the government of Turkey is insulting Nigeria by requesting the closure of its schools in the country.

CCTV shows school principal being ‘abducted’ as post-coup crackdown in Turkey spreads to Malaysia

A school principal and a businessman have disappeared in the latest in a string of international arrests allegedly ordered by Turkey in a post-coup crackdown that has seen more than 100,000 people detained. Human rights group warns pair could be tortured if they are extradited back to Turkey.

Turkish schools praised by Uganda’s education minister

Ugandan Education Minister Jessica Alupo commented on the success of Galaxy International Schools in Uganda during a recent trip to Turkey. Alupo stressed that the five Galaxy International Schools, which were opened by Turkish entrepreneurs and operate across Uganda with nearly 1,500 students, encourage pupils to grow as individuals.

Turkey Targets Gulen-Inspired Projects Around the World

In past years, big names in South Africa picked up the annual Gulen Peace Award, a local accolade inspired by a Turkish preacher who has been blamed by Turkey for an attempted coup last month.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Pro-Erdogan columnist calls California ice-cream seller, “Dogs of Jews, terrorists!”

Laotian President Sayasone hosts Turkish school officials

D.C. Group Holds Annual Peace and Dialogue Dinner in Albemarle

CHP leader: PM saving himself by paralyzing constitutional order

EU, US Have Little Leverage as Turkish Democracy Backslides

Erdogan regime’s defamation of Hizmet at full throttle – UK-based academic denies recent allegations

Did PKK change its view of religious movements?

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News