About Us

Mission

To provide advice, support, and solutions among students in times of emergency and to those planning and preparing to study in Türkiye.
To enhance friendship with Turkish and other international students, as well as the Turkish public, through openness, unity, and mutual understanding regardless of colour, ethnicity, ideology, or religion.
To organize various activities and represent Cambodia in social and cultural events hosted by government institutions, academic institutions, and other organizations upon invitation.
To deeply learn knowledge, skills, and life experience, and to explore opportunities for jobs or foreign investment that could contribute to the future development of Cambodia.

Vision

To build strong relationships, unity, and mutual support among all Cambodian students in the Republic of Türkiye, including those planning to pursue their studies there.
To promote the good character of the Cambodian people and widely share Cambodia’s rich and vibrant culture in Türkiye.
To educate and train members with essential life skills and foster cooperation for shared success.
To strengthen personal, group, and national capacity through close cooperation in diplomacy, economy, social affairs, culture, and knowledge between the peoples of both countries.

Goals

To organize and develop the association into a more formal and legally recognized institution with effective leadership and management.
To establish permanent offices in both Türkiye and Cambodia.
To build strong relationships with governmental and private institutions in both countries.
Organize gatherings, cultural and artistic events, as well as regular presentations about Cambodian and Turkish traditions, and to provide annual scholarship orientation sessions for Cambodian students in both Türkiye and Cambodia.

Our Story

Cambodian students pursuing both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Türkiye have been coming to the country for quite some time. However, in earlier generations, most students came as private individuals and in very small numbers. As a result, there was no formation of an association or group for Cambodian students.

In 2014, the first group of 10 Cambodian students received scholarships from the Government of the Republic of Türkiye, while another group of over 40 Cambodian Muslim students received scholarships from private foundations. Since 2015, the number of Cambodian students receiving scholarships both from the Turkish government and private foundations has steadily increased. Recognizing the challenges faced by Cambodian students and the importance of having an association, and with the encouragement and support of His Excellency Othsman Hassan, Minister Delegate in charge of Special Missions; His Excellency Nos Sles, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport; and His Excellency Sman Manan, Ambassador of Cambodia to the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Cambodian Students Association in Türkiye (CSAT) was established. These three high-ranking officials have consistently offered guidance, support, and helped solve issues faced by Cambodian students during their missions to Türkiye.

On August 7, 2017, in Ankara, the association officially held its first election to select its president and structure its organization. The election took place under the presidency of His Excellency Nhoung Sles, during his official visit to Türkiye. Mr. Tam Sakirin, a graduate-level student, was elected as the first president of the association. It was unanimously decided to establish the association’s headquarters in Ankara, for more effective coordination and because of the high concentration of Cambodian students residing there. With a spirit of transparency and legality, the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport officially recognized the Cambodian Students Association in Türkiye (CSAT) on April 4, 2018.

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