Training of National Trainers for the Project on
“Developing Teachers to Raise One-Health
Awareness at General and Technical High Schools
in Cambodia”
Battambang–The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Technical Education Development (SEAMEO TED) and the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN) have co-organized a training of national trainers on developing national teachers to raise One-Health awareness at General and Technical High Schools (GTHSs) in Cambodia which is being held on August 15-17, 2024 at National University of Battambang (NUBB) in Battambang province, Cambodia. This training course is a part of a joint initiative aimed at enhancing One Health awareness among students, teachers and community members in Cambodia. This project is fully funded by Chevron which strives to empower people around the world to improve their lives, achieve their ambitions and meet their full potential.
The main objectives of the training are to train nine national teachers from three target GTHs to become national teacher trainers and raise awareness of One Health in selected GTHSs in the Kingdom of Cambodia. These three target schools are Kampong Chheuteal Demonstration general and Technical High School in Kampong Thom Province, Preah Bat Samdach Preah Norodom Sihamoni General and Technical High School in Kampong Chhnang Province and Bavet General and Technical High School in Svay Rieng Province.
The training covered four main topics regarding One Health such as definition of One Health, Stakeholders, One Health Competencies and One Health approach. During the training, the nine national teachers also learned how to make plans and apply what they have learned to promote One Health concept at their respective schools. Upon the completion of this course, the nine national teachers will carry out One Health awareness activities to students and teachers in selected target GTHSs and community members around the target schools.
Another objective of this training is to raise One Health awareness among students and lecturers of National University of Battambang; as on the second day of the training, 34 students and lecturers of NUBB attended the training. It is also noted that some of the student participants have pledged to share knowledge of One Health they learned in the training with their peers.
During the opening session, Dr. Songheang Ai, Center Director of SEAMEO TED, highlighted the importance of the training as it is the third activity of the project to develop teacher trainers to raise One-Health awareness at General and Technical High Schools in Cambodia. He started by asking the participants if they knew the definition of One Health. He then shared his personal experience of his misunderstanding of One Health concept. When he first heard of the word One Health, he initially interpreted that it referred to the physical, psychological and emotional health of a person. He later found out that it is not the case. It actually referred to an approach by which relevant stakeholders work together to prevent and address health problems with consideration of the interconnectedness of the human, animals and environment. In addition, he encouraged all the participants to fully engage in and try to learn as much as information from the training and share it with other family members, friends and colleagues. Particularly, for the nine national teachers, he suggested that they try to figure out how to and make plans to introduce One Health concept into the existing curriculum by integrating it into school health session which is one hour per week.
Mr. Tieng Morin, vice rector of National University of Battambang emphasized on the meaning of One Health concept, by highlighting that One Health referred to an approach to address global health challenges by working together among stakeholders. One Health also refers to the interconnectedness of human, animal and their environment. The health of human, animals and environment are inextricably linked. Good and healthy environment leads to wellbeing of animals and human and vice versa. He highlighted that during recent memories, we have faced a number of pandemics such as Covid-19, or SARS and Ebola and One health approach helped us tackle with these health threats. He also stressed that One Health knowledge enables us to take preventive measures and be ready to work together to address potential health risks.
What is One Health?
One Health is a collaborative approach—working at the local, regional, national, and global levels—with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. Schools play a key role in the development of knowledge, positive attitude, and behaviors early in life, incorporating the One Health concept into the school curriculum will help children understand the interdependencies between humans and animals in a shared environment and develop long-lasting preventative behaviors to be less prone to zoonotic diseases. Additionally, children can bring the concept home to their parents and the greater community.
About SEAMEO TED
The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Technical Education Development (SEAMEO TED) is one of the 26 SEAMEO centers, based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. SEAMEO TED assists SEAMEO member countries in identifying technical education problems and finding alternative solutions through capacity-building programs, research and development, and public relations and partnership for supporting administrators, technical teachers, management of technical and vocational high schools and colleges. Currently there are 87 technical and vocational high schools/colleges as the members of Southeast Asian Technical and Vocational High School/College Network from all 11 SEAMEO country members working collectively.
About SEAOHUN
The Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN), established in 2011, is an academic and research network promoting the One Health concept. Comprising over 100 educational institutions from eight ASEAN countries, SEAOHUN builds professional capacity to address complex One Health issues, conducts research for evidence-based decision-making, and assists governments with public health surge capacity. The SEAOHUN Secretariat is located in Mueang district, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
About Chevron
Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We provide affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy to people in the Eurasia Pacific region that is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. In Cambodia, Chevron (Cambodia) Limited markets automotive fuels and products under the Caltex® brand at 76 service stations, 40 of which are in Phnom Penh. Of the total number, 17 are company-owned, and 59 are owned by retailers. We operate 24 Star Mart® convenience stores and 72 Coffee Plus® gourmet cafés. In addition, we support the community through health, education, and safety initiatives.
Media Contacts:
SEAMEO TED
Songheang Ai, Ph.D
Alternate SOCA Leader for Cambodia, Center Director of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, Regional Center for Technical Education Development (SEAMEO TED)
Email: song.heang@yahoo.com What’s Up/Telegram: 855-12-527-117
Chevron (Cambodia) Limited
Uzma Nawawi
Corporate Affairs Manager – Southeast Asia
T +603 2289 6688
M +6017 521 9294