More and more Cambodian students have sought degree in Chinese literature as Cambodian- Chinese ties in economics, trade, investment, and tourism have been expanding rapidly in recent years.

Heng Ayly, 21, who decided to get her Bachelor's Degree in Chinese literature at Asia Euro University (AEU) here with her aspiration to be an interpreter of Chinese language when she graduates. "Learning Chinese, I have a lot of job opportunities because there are a lot of Chinese companies doing businesses in Cambodia, "said the sophomore.

She said her Chinese proficiency has quickly improved since all lecturers at Department of Chinese Language at AEU are native speakers. "All the teachers are from China, they are very easy to get along with, and the ways they teach are diverse, so I am very happy to learn here,"she said. "After graduation, I want to further study in China and on my return to be an interpreter."

Another student Keath Piseth, 22, said learning Chinese literature would be conducive for him to better understand about China and its culture and civilization. "After my graduation, I want to be a teacher of Chinese language in order to promote Chinese language and culture in Cambodia. At the meantime, to be a Chinese-speaking tour guide so that I can introduce Cambodian culture and history to Chinese people," he said.

College freshman Chea Sovanntevy, 22, said she wishes to be a teacher of Chinese language when she finishes her Bachelor's Degree in Chinese literature. "I do love studying Chinese here because teachers are energetic, vigorous and young, and they are adroit at teaching and make us easy to understand,"she said.

AEU is the only university in Cambodia providing Chinese language programs at degree levels since 2012 under the support from the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia and the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Chen Jingwen, head of AEU's Chinese Department, said that students'interest in studying Chinese at degree levels is very high in Cambodia thanks to close relations between the two countries and peoples. "I have been teaching high-school students, college students and adults, Cambodian people are all very positive about Chinese language and eager to learn it,"she said, adding that under the agreement between AEU and Jiu Jiang University in China's Jiangxi province, good students would be sent to study in their fourth year in Jiu Jiang University.

AEU's Vice-Rector Chhoeun Savorn said the university opened Bachelor's Degree in Chinese literature in the academic year 2012- 2013 with only 59 students and in the academic year 2013-2014, the university received up to 100 new students. "It's very interesting that more Cambodian students choose to learn for Bachelor's Degree in Chinese literature,"he said. Besides, there are up to 1,200 students studying general Chinese language courses at the school.

He said Chinese language is really popular among Cambodian students because a lot of Chinese business people are investing in Cambodia, so it is easy for Cambodian graduates to find jobs. "Most of students, who are learning Chinese language here, are also working for tour companies and Chinese companies,"he said.

According to Chhoeun Savorn, all Chinese teachers at the university are provided by the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia. "All students in Chinese literature class are learning with eight Chinese native lecturers."he said, adding that the curriculum in Chinese literature at AEU was the same as that of the Jiu Jiang University.

Chea Munyrith, director of the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the institute has helped prepare the curriculum for AEU's Chinese Department, which responds to the curriculum in China. "The study of Chinese language in Cambodia today is not only for trade or communication purposes, but also for science and research, so we support AEU to provide Bachelor's Degree in Chinese literature,"he said.

Munyrith added that more students are keen to learn for degree levels in Chinese literature because Cambodia and China have excellent ties in all fields, particularly in politics, economics, trade, investment and tourism.

Joseph Matthews, director of AEU's Department of International Cooperation, said there are many factors that have been contributed to promoting Chinese language in Cambodia. "Firstly, there is a significant section of society who claims to be Chinese-Khmer, and they observe all the Chinese festivals and rituals as their counterparts in China, for instance, Chinese New Year,"he said. "China is emerging as a global economic power and very important player in the region, so learning Chinese language also links with socio-economic development of the country."

He said that Chinese education in Cambodia would help strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

"China Education can act as a catalyst for bringing the two nations politically, socially, economically and culturally closer than they have ever been,"he said.

Joseph underscored a key challenge related to the Chinese language program at AEU and in Cambodia. "The biggest challenge for AEU is that there is no any mechanism or system where AEU can transfer the credits of students,after they have completed two or three years of their study here, to universities in China," he said. "Many students like to continue their studies in China. Since there is no formal agreement regarding the Transfer of Credit between AEU and China Higher Education Institutions, the only way students can travel to China is through scholarships or sponsorship," he said.