Jonathan KS Choi Cultural Center and Sunwah Innovation Center Grand Openings held as Royal Order of Sahametrei Medals bestowed
The Jonathan KS Choi Cultural Center and Sunwah Innovation Center Grand Openings were held at Phnom Penh’s Raffles Hotel Le Royal on January 29, 2024, with the Royal Order of Sahametrei Medal Ceremony also taking place.
Dr. Jonathan Choi was awarded the second highest level of the Royal Order of SahametreiMoha-Sereyvath from King Norodom Sihamoni in recognition of his contributions to the exchange of arts and culture between China and Cambodia.
The prestigious award was presented by Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation H.E. Hem Vanndy, while 10 members of Sunwah Group and National University of Management also received Royal Order of Sahametrei Medals.
Janice Choi, Adviser and Legal Director of Sunwah Group, and Gilbert Tsui were awarded the Mohasena Medal, while Jackson Choi, East China Regional Director of Sunwah Group, and Jesse Choi received the Thipdin Medal.
In 2009, Jonathan Choi was awarded the “Building the Nation of Cambodia” Medal by the government of Cambodia, in recognition of his contributions to the Kingdom’s infrastructure and his commitment to improving people’s livelihoods.
Guests of honour at the grandiose ceremony included H.E. Kim Sethany, Secretary of State and High Representative of Minister of Education, Youth and Sports H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, and H.E. Lundi Sannara, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.
H.E. Prak Phannara, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism, and Tran Thi Anh-Dao, Attache for Scientific and Higher Education Cooperation at the French Embassy, were also among the guests of honour, with nearly 200 people joining the glittering event both online and offline.
The guests of honour were joined by partners from the sectors of innovation, technology and business, as well as institutes and social service groups, to witness a new chapter in the development of the Kingdom.
Sunwah Group Chairman Dr. Jonathan Choi used the occasion to express his firm belief that Sunwah Group will fulfil its long-term commitment with the National University of Management in the fields of education, innovation and culture.
The collaboration will promote international cooperation, assist the university towards becoming a world-class institution, and establish a comprehensive international exchange platform to carry out diversified services such as education, culture and innovation exchanges, he added.
Ministry of Education Secretary of State H.E. Kim Sethany hailed the launch of the Jonathan KS Choi Cultural Center and Sunwah Innovation Center as a “remarkable” achievement.
“The successful cooperation between the Sunwah Group and the National University of Management – leveraging their respective strengths and expertise – has achieved truly remarkable results.
“I believe this joint partnership will enlarge the space for the professional and academic development of staff, and provide great opportunities for students as they embark on their future careers,” she said.
At the opening ceremony, Sunwah Group and the National University of Management signed a further five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote long-term exchanges and cooperation in culture, innovation and technology, covering exchange seminars and other training projects.
The Jonathan KS Choi Cultural Center and Sunwah Innovation Center are located in the National Management University of Cambodia in central Phnom Penh.
Donated by Sunwah Group, the centres are free, and open to researchers, start-ups and non-profit organisations, providing a venue for germinating and cultivating innovative ideas, as well as exchanging cultural activities.