Phnom penh: Aviation professionals from the Philippines will now cater to Cambodians after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between officials of the WCC Aeronautical and Technological College and Cambodia's Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC). This is among the gains from the state visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Phnom Penh from Sept. 7 to 9, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque said in a statement Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the WCC AeroTech University in Phnom Penh will offer degree programs in aircraft maintenance technology, avionics, airline operations management, aeronautical engineering, and a certificate flight attendant program. Roque stated that the establishment of the Filipino-owned aviation school in the Cambodian capital aligns with the President's initiative to advance opportunities for Filipinos overseas.

'When our schools and professionals bring their knowledge to international markets, they raise the profile of the Philippines as a hub for skills and innovation. This means more demand for Filipino educators, engineers, and service providers-not only boosting jobs but also inspiring pride in our people's capabilities,' she said.

WCC President Raymond Patrick Guico described the tie-up as an achievement for the Philippines' higher education and vowed to extend the same offerings they have in domestic operations. OCIC Vice President Thierry Tea remarked that the MOU aligns with their goal to build human capital. 'Working with WCC allows us to open doors for Cambodian youth to access top-quality aviation training while connecting with Filipino professionals who have a proven track record in the industry,' he said.