The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has proposed that Singapore’s Infrastructure Asia organisation examine the possibility of sending sewage specialists to train officials and students at the Techo Sen Institute of Public Works and Transport (TSI). 

The request came as ministry secretary of state Ros Vanna met with Lavan Thiru, executive director of Infrastructure Asia, a project facilitation office, in Phnom Penh on December 12. 

The meeting aimed to seek increased sewage and solid waste management input and cooperation between the private and public sectors, according to the ministry. 

It said Vanna described the Kingdom’s current sewage systems, and its strengths and weaknesses. He suggested that the Singaporean side consider sending instructors to teach at the TSI.

Thiru agreed to consider the request, saying that a short training course would be conducted in Singapore next year, and ministry officials would be invited to participate.

The TSI is a public higher education institution which trains students in the construction of roads, highways, bridges, railways and ports, as well as wastewater treatment and land transport management, including logistics and supply chains. It also produces marine engineers.

Samrong Dynamo, director-general of the General Department of Wastewater Treatment at the TSI, said that sewage management in Cambodia still faces some challenges, including legislation, human resources and investment.

He added that Cambodia needs collaboration and support from international partners through investment and technical training, if it wants to improve the wastewater treatment sector and guarantee environmental sustainability.