The Cool Photos of my MPH Graduation Day on October 16, 2008

MY BACKGROUND IN BRIEF

PERSONAL DATA:

Name : TONG Soprach

Date of Birth : 6 January 1976

Place of Birth: Kampong Thom

Sex : Male

Nationality : Cambodian

Marital Status : Single “Precious Kid”

Present Residence : Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Father : Chou Tong, ex-military administrator,

Passed away in 1977 by Khmer Rouge regime

Mother : Siv Khim, widow and retied in August 2008 (before Democratic

Kampuchea regime, ex-rural development official in Kg Cham and after DK regime, ex-primary school teacher in Phnom Penh). Khim told me: “I decided to move to live in Phnom Penh because of you, I wanted you to study high degree, I didn’t trust anyone who takes care of you well, I didn’t know where live in the town and I had bad experience when I came to Phnom Penh for my passing of final BAC. II exam at Sann Thor Mok high school, I always got lost and came late.” However, she never told me directly an invisible important point: “I did not marry because of you!” Soprach said to her: “did not worry mom!” At the moment, Khim needs a grand-kid to play with her. Soprach told her that it is a very hard job, but I don’t argue her: “I have not yet married because of you!” I would say: “I’m sorry mom I can try my best for you and hopefully you would be satisfied; after raining the sky will open very soon.”

WORKING EXPERIENCE WITH: (1998-2008)

The United Cambodian Charity, Center for Population Study/UNFPA (Volunteer), The Population Research Center of University of Chicago, Prorcheasas Research Team, GAD/C, CARE. Consultancy for SHARE, UNICEF (2), FHI, ADB, NGO Forum, CRS, GFATM (Contracted for mid-Nov. 2008- Jan. 2009).

MAIN EDUCATION:

July 1992: Bac. II, Bak Touk High School, Phnom Penh

Sep. 1992 – Sep. 93: Pre-university at Royal University of Phnom Penh

Sep. 1993 – Aug. 97: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, RUPP

Nov. 1997 – Mar. 98: Diploma in Demography, RUPP/UNFPA

Feb. – Sep. 1998: Diploma of Being a Teacher of Upper Secondary School,

Faculty of Pedagogy, Phnom Penh.

Feb. 2005- Feb. 08: Master Degree in Public Health, University of Cambodia, Phnom Penh.

Researach Paper: Impact of Premarital Sex in Cambodia

Aug. 2007-Oct. 08: Interested in MPH program courses: Bio-statistics, Applied Epidemiology & Bio-statistic, Epi DATA, Epi Info, SPSS and M&E. International University, Phnom Penh

INTERESTS: Travel, mountain, forest, art gallery, football, music, dance and party.

HOBBY: Vespa Rally

FOOTBALL FAN:

National: Cambodian National Team and Phnom Penh Empire Club

“Come on Red Lion!”

International: French National Team “Allez les Bleu!”

Arsenal FC “Everything For Arsenal!”, London Club

TRAVEL EXPERIENCE:

National: All 24 provinces and cities included tracking in complex

temple sites and forests.

Asia: Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore & India.

Europe: France (2), Spain, Italy, England, Scotland, Germany (to see world cup 2006 atmosphere in 3^rd place in Stuttgart and final in Berlin), Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland (Aland Island)

America: Mexico

(My photo was in studio of a photo shop)

The Cool Photos of my MPH Graduation Day on October 16, 2008

This was my second time wearing the official graduation uniform in the Graduation Ceremony on October 16, 2008 at 2:00pm at the University of Cambodia under the presidency of HE Im Sethy, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports. In fact, I did graduate my Master Degree in Public Health since February 2008 where I had to wait for official graduation until that day. For this degree, I spent three years every weekend to be successful including my failure and dropping.

Before registration in Feb. 2005, I wanted to study Social Work subject which fitted to my work at CARE; unfortunately, the UC did not offer this program. However, I was received good recommendations from my friends Dr Karen Heckert and Ms Michelle Sussan with the reasons: “Of course that was good Social Work program, if the school did not offer this course, you should choose Public Health program, even though your background Bachelor of Science in Chemistry was a bit far from this course; But you learned Demography and research, and work experience in program and research including gender, sexual and reproductive health…I think you can try it.”

During the education, I always talked friendly to my referees Ms Heng Neang, Ms Fleur Smith, Mr Luke Bearup, Mr David Wilkinson, and my friends for some excellent concepts to support my study. Beside of teachers, my classmates also contributed great ideas to my study including assignment presentation and group working. We generally shared documents what we had different jobs. I think it is very important to talk to people to share experience. These led me accomplishment my master degree. On the other hand, studying this school was not enough for me; meanwhile, I also built my capacity more through buying some interesting courses of MPH program at International University.

Unfortunately, next generations of non-medical background students can not study MPH program due to The Sub-degree on Education in Health Field, passed on 13 March 2007, in Chapter 4, Article 10, and Part 2: Master’s Program on Public Health and Research says: “2.1 Master’s Program on Public Health and Research must study after bachelor in Science of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, And also in Nurse, in Midwife and other medical fields at least 2 years with 54 credits.”

After missing to study bachelor for a year in France in 1997 to continue my bachelor from here. Even though my final score exam and oral was high, it could not compete to South-east Asia students, I was disappointed. Therefore I didn’t have any will to study abroad and I never test TOEFL and ELTS as well although my friends encouraged me to study abroad. Hence, I have decided not to go study outside of Phnom Penh, as no one takes care of my mom.

My Funny Story of Imagination to Study Abroad

However I have my real funny story in the past about imagination to study abroad which did not really like to my situation now. When I was a small boy, I started going to school with communist pupils’ uniform (Russian & Vietnam influences) including red scarf and dark blue cap in early 1980s during The People’s Republic of Kampuchea. I always imagined to study abroad; especially, in Europe and I also hoped that one day I would study there. At that time, my school had a children and youth camp quarterly and all students were invited to watch Russian documentaries and movies at Russian Cultural Center on Norodom Blvd.

(This photo of my generation at Wat Preah Put primary school in Phnom Penh. We defiled in the front of my school where locates near National Olympic Stadium during the Children's Day on June 1st, 1985.)

One day of Children’s Day, my schoolmates and I were allowed to watch a movie of The World War II between Russia and Germany at the center. The movie showed the violence against humanity including children during snow falling down and it was very cold, and people walked very hard; simultaneously, I felt frozen and I didn’t tell any friends who seated closely to me. When the movie finished, I went back home and told my mom quickly: “Mom! Mom! Mom! I didn’t want to go to study abroad any more because people walked deeply on "TEUK KORK CHHOOSE" small pieces of ices, I felt very cold and I could not afford that weather.” Mom laughed me and teased me with her colleagues.

In recently years, instead of missing of my imagination to study abroad, I have had opportunities to participate in intentional conferences or personal travel and I have extended several days to visit interesting places, relatives and friends there.

Before the Graduation Ceremony...


After registration I took a photo with my classmate Mr Kim Heang in the front of my scchool where locates next to Independence Monument in Phnom Penh.



My friend French Ms Brigitte was invited to participate in my graduation day.



Seating closely to my classmates.



We were in the range to receive our graduates.



Ha, Ha, it was my turn to get it.



Yes! Congradulation!!! that was my great photo that I received my degree from Dr Haruhisa Handa, Chancellor, The University of Cambodia. He is Japanese man who sponsors the university.



I took a photo as a souvernir with Dr Dr Haruhisa Handa and HE. Im Sethy, Education Minister.



My photo with the background of the ceremony day



This was my classmate graduates with the background



It was nice photo of Mr Sophal and Soprach



Ms Brigitte and Ms Mischelle offered an honor to Ms Sedtha and Soprach



My photo was outside of the school.




We can see the Independence Monument where is very nearby



Soprach and Miss Phirun who is my schoolmates at primary school. She also graduated her BA in English language.



6 stars: Soprach, Mr Montha, Ms Sedtha, Miss Savy, Mr Sophal and Mr Kim Heang



Cool of the Cool



MPH graduates was interviewed by Dr Handa TV in Japan



A crazy photo Mr Sopheara and Soprach



Mr Luke Kangaroo friend and Soprach at the dinner party of my graduation day



Miss Siti Cambodian American friend and Soprach



Miss Betsy American friend and Soprach




A couple of Mr Toddy & Ms Fleur Kiwi friends and Soprach



Bong Sekhorn Artist friend and Soprach



Ms Mischelle Le coq friend and Soprach



Bong Sekhorn singed a few Khmer songs for me at the dinner party for my graduation day.

At the end, I would like to say thank you all of my classmetes and friends who join my graduation day and thank you all photographers who attemted to take all beautiful photos. I also thank to all my classmates who attended the dinner party on Sunday, where I forgot my camera to take photos all of you.