UQ’s International Development unit (UQID) has delivered 6 Masterclasses, 2 Regional Dialogues, and one Government-to-Government Engagement training and capacity building programs to enhance the resilience and prosperity of the Mekong subregion (this includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam) through the Australian Government’s Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP).
Social development enthusiast Socheata Sokun from Cambodia participated in the MAP Regional Dialogue on ‘Entrepreneurship: The Future of the Mekong’ in 2023. This was part of a series of MAP Short Term Awards (MAPSTA) developed by the Australian embassy in Thailand and delivered by UQID, with the 2023 program held in Bangkok targeting senior staff and mid-career professionals.
Within the learnings of this course, Socheata found her introduction to UQ and the possibilities in Innovation and Entrepreneurship eye-opening.
“I was inspired by UQ and the course leaders to look for the problems in our own countries and to think about innovative businesses that might be a part of the solution,” Socheata said.
“It really touched my heart and here I am, now. My dream finally came true this year!”
She arrived in Australia in January 2025 to undertake a Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UQ, building on her existing degrees in law and professional communication. She applied and successfully achieved both an Australia Awards Scholarship and an Aus4ASEAN Scholarship, both prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government (the latter to the next generation of leaders from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste).
“The MAPSTA [Regional Dialogue] played a pivotal role in my decision to pursue my master’s degree at UQ," Socheata said.
"It provided valuable insights into the challenges of entrepreneurship and inspired me to contribute to solutions for both Cambodia and the global community. I am truly grateful to the International Development team for organising such a meaningful and impactful conference."
Socheata will study in Australia for 1.5 years, before returning to Cambodia. In the meantime, she finds herself only one of a handful of Cambodian students starting at UQ in Semester 1 of 2025.
“I’m missing my family of course but I don’t feel alone," she said.
"I have great support in the Sponsored Students Unit and in the Business, Economics and Law faculty.
"Australia is a very well-developed country. I am enjoying the vibrant culture, accessible transport, and the world class education system. It is my great honour to be a student here. I look forward to learning new skills, and to taking my knowledge back to Cambodia, being part of the solution.”
While Socheata was born and raised in the provinces, she has lived in Phnom Penh since she graduated high school in 2013.
“Not many women from my area study," Socheata said.
"I believe that as a woman I can achieve a lot of things if I work and study hard. Now that I'm at UQ, I feel incredibly proud to be the pride of my family. I'm determined to break barriers and show that women are equal and can reach any goal we set, as long as we put in the effort."
The MAPSTA program's extension includes 3 additional masterclasses across the 2024-25 financial year, further enhancing its impact. By continuing to focus on tailored training, strategic partnerships, and adaptive learning, MAPSTA aims to strengthen the partnership between Australia and the Mekong countries, contributing to regional development goals.
The Masterclasses and Regional Dialogues that UQ develops for the Australian Government not only deepen bilateral relations, but also open opportunities for people in the Mekong region to explore what Australia has to offer for personal and professional development.
Learn more about International Development
Find out about International Sponsored Students
