RCAF Deputy Commander-in-Chief Kun Kim has received a doctorate in military sciences from Vietnam’s Dalat Infantry Institute, advisers to Kun Kim said Monday.
“It’s the second time,” said So Saroeun, an adviser to Kun Kim, indicating that the four-star general had already received a post-graduate degree from the Institute in 2004 before pursuing his PhD.
Cambodian television on Sunday broadcast images of the Sept 17 graduation ceremony at the Institute in Lam Dong province.
Weekend editions of Khmer-language newspapers, including Koh Santepheap Daily and Rasmei Kampuchea, printed color announcements congratulating Kun Kim on his academic achievement in Vietnam.
Kun Kim, other members of the RCAF high command and Defense Minister Tea Banh could not be reached for comment Monday. Fellow RCAF Deputy Commander-in-Chief Meas Sophea said he was too busy to talk to a reporter.
But So Saroeun said Kun Kim had spent a total of six years studying in Vietnam and had to learn the Vietnamese language in order to pursue his doctoral studies.
Kong Kunthearith, also an adviser to Kun Kim, said that while he could not recall the subject of Kun Kim’s PhD thesis, it had extended to several hundred pages of Vietnamese text.
The Cambodian military has two two-star generals, a one-star general, eight enlisted men and a colonel with masters degrees but Kun Kim is RCAF’s only PhD, he said.
The two-hour presentation ceremony was presided over by Vietnam’s deputy defense minister, Kong Kunthearith added.
