With considerable support from UNESCO Jakarta Office and ASEAN Engineers Register Commission of AFEO, the Engineering Institution of Cambodia (EIC) organized Forum II in accordance with the recommendation from Forum I on “Role of Engineers in the New Era of Market Economy and Knowledge Society” held on 24 June 2003. It may be recalled that Forum I highlighted the need for improving the technical and management capabilities of the Cambodian engineers so that they may play a leading role in the infrastructure development of Cambodia, and thus improve the living standard of Cambodians. Forum I discussed the options for raising funds to implement a program to upgrade the qualification of national engineers. Forum II was arranged to explore further ways and means of empowering EIC to become a self-funding professional organization to conduct its activities.

The Technical and Management Training Program for national engineers, as proposed by EIC was endorsed by all participants including the Royal Government, parliamentarians, the private sector, NGOs, multi and bi-lateral agencies, etc. It is an urgent to upgrade the qualifications of the local engineers, with approximately 70% of them aged between 35-40. After training, these national engineers will become the core force, with adequate qualifications, to substantially contribute to the civil society and development projects throughout Cambodia.

- H. E. Prak Sokhon, Royal Government Representative and Lok Chumteav HO Naun, MP confirmed their complete backing for the EIC initiatives.

- In the context of financial support for the upgrading the engineering capabilities, Ms. Nisha Agrawal, Country Manager of World Bank (WB) in Cambodia mentioned that although crucial, the WB is an international agency working through a framework of loans to the Government, and does not have the mandate to directly support NGOs like EIC. However, HRD has already been incorporated in the loan conditions and EIC should liaise with the relevant authorities on this matter regarding participation by EIC memberts. Similarly, Mr. Juro CHIKARAISHI, representative of JICA in Cambodia, expressed his concern about the lack of qualified Cambodian engineers to get involved in JICA projects, but his organization also has no provision for direct funding for this purpose.

- Ir. Choo Kok Beng Head of the Asean Engineers Register (AER) Commission and council member of IEM gave an example of how funds can be generated to finance the training of engineering supervisors in Cambodia for capacity building. The proposal was based on the model used by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) of Malaysia where a levy of 0.125% was imposed on all construction works contract above RM500,000. CIDB collects this levy to fund the training of skilled workers and supervisors for the Construction Industry in Malaysia. EIC could similarly propose that the Royal Cambodian Government do likewise and impose a levy, say of 0.125% for construction projects funded by foreign loans in Cambodia. Assuming that the total foreign funded projects in 2004 is USD 200 million, the levy collected will be USD1.25 million. This amount can be allotted to fund EIC's programme to train supervisors for the local construction industry.

- Dr. Nafis Ahmed, UNESCO Jakarta Office and Dr. Supote S. Prasertsri, UNESCO Phnom Penh Office reiterated “the necessity of all relevant parties to contribute to assist EIC to the stage where EIC develops sufficient ability to run itself”. The ultimate target should be to have local engineers trained so that they can fulfill their role in the infrastructure development program of the Royal Government, both in the private and public sectors. Rural development will play a significant role in the future prosperity of Cambodia and engineers should be ready to tackle that challenge.

- Madam Tan Theany, Secretary General of Cambodia National Commission for UNESCO, expressed her willingness to support EIC as a partner under the Cambodia Country Participation Program of UNESCO.

- Eur. Chitr Lilavivat, Vice-President of EIT (Engineering Institution of Thailand) and Brother Phillip fully agreed with previous speakers. Concerning the alleviation of poverty in Cambodia, they suggested the provision of low-tech solutions and training courses directly to poor people in collaboration with EIC.

- Oknha Hann Khieng, Treasurer of Phnom Penh Chamber of Commerce, expressed his hope that the capacity to upgrade the qualifications of national engineers is achieved soon. Once properly qualified engineers and technicians are available, businesses would rather employ national engineers than expatriates, thus saving on money and also retaining local knowledge and experience.

In conclusion, it may be said that Forum II has been a success achieved its objective of generating discussion and debate on the needs of EIC, and how to meet them. There were more than 70 participants, including senior figures from the public and private sectors. Regarding the issue of funding for EIC the following sources were identified:

- The Royal Government through grants and the earmarking of a certain component for technical human resource development in loan agreements with development banks and other agencies.

- Private sector should play a role in the HRD of engineers and thus contribute to a fund to do so, either voluntarily or through compulsory levy imposed on infrastructure development programs by the government.

- EIC may participate in community development activities as a contractor and provide services, thus also contributing to the poverty alleviation efforts of the government and other agencies.