PHNOM PENH, June 29 (Xinhua) -- China's Luban Construction Workshop College plays a crucial role in teaching advanced construction engineering skills to Cambodian youth, local university representatives and students said here on Monday.
Launched in 2023, the Luban Construction Workshop College was co-established by China's Jiangsu Vocational Institute of Architectural Technology, the China Construction Third Engineering Bureau, and the Cambodia Airport Investment Company, in collaboration with several Cambodian universities.
The workshop college trains Cambodian students and recent graduates in specialized architectural fields, including design, interior decoration, and engineering technologies.
Tun Pheakdey, rector of University of Management and Economics in Cambodia's Battambang province, praised the Chinese side for constructing landmark projects in Cambodia, particularly the kingdom's biggest Techo International Airport, and for training Cambodian talents in high-end construction engineering skills.
"China Construction Third Engineering Bureau significantly contributes to Cambodian youth development in the construction industry through the Luban Construction Workshop College," he said at the Luban Construction Workshop College's 2026 academic program opening ceremony in Phnom Penh.
"The Luban Construction Workshop College has developed highly creative, skilled, and capable human resources for Cambodia's future construction industry," he added.
To date, more than 300 Cambodian talents have graduated from the workshop college's construction program.
"They have not only gained knowledge of the latest construction technology but also secured opportunities to work on major construction projects undertaken by China Construction Third Engineering Bureau, allowing them to blend theory with practice," Pheakdey said.
"Furthermore, outstanding students have been awarded scholarships to study in China," he added.
The Luban Construction Workshop College is named after Lu Ban, an ancient Chinese craftsman who represents the Chinese tradition of craftsmanship spirit.
Tha Sathya, a Luban Construction Workshop College graduate and engineer at China Construction Third Engineering Bureau, said the workshop college not only helps develop human resources in the construction engineering sector -- a key contributor to Cambodia's socio-economic development, but also serves as a friendship bridge connecting the people of Cambodia and China.
"It provides Cambodian youth with valuable knowledge and construction skills," he told Xinhua. "My hope is that the next generation of students and engineers will leverage the practical knowledge and skills from the Luban Construction Workshop College to build a brighter future for our country."
Sathya said that the workshop college has significantly enhanced Cambodia-China cooperation in the construction sector, as it provides graduates with robust employment opportunities at major Chinese enterprises.
Om Kulen, a freshman at the Vanda University in Phnom Penh, said the Luban Construction Workshop College has created a new chapter in producing high-quality construction engineers, serving as a vital hub for transferring technical skills and advanced technology from Chinese experts to Cambodian talents.
"I highly value this training program because it provides valuable knowledge and experiences to all participants," she told Xinhua while attending the ceremony.
"Thank you so much for sharing valuable experiences and knowledge that we were previously unaware of," the 19-year-old student said. ■
