Former Rotary World Peace Fellow, Path Heang (2004) has been awarded the University of Queensland 2008 International Alumnus of the Year. 

The International Alumnus of the Year Award was introduced in 2002 to recognise the outstanding personal and professional achievements of the University's international alumni community. The criteria of the award considers contributions to the community and career achievements since graduating.

Mr Heang from Cambodia was taken from his parents at age six and forced into a Khmer Rouge labour camp. He graduated in 2004 from The University of Queensland with a Masters of International Studies (Peace and Conflict Resolution).

As a young boy, he endured the most severe hardships during the internal conflicts of Cambodia. In the labour camp, he battled hunger and chaos for three years from the age of six. After he was able to escape, he was reunited with his parents in 1979.  Mr Heang lived through decades of armed conflict in Cambodia. He taught himself English by reading the labels on food commodities sent by UNICEF when the Khmer Rouge was overthrown.

From these beginnings he triumphed over adversity to win a Rotary World Peace Fellowship to study and graduate with a Masters in International Studies (Peace and Conflict Resolution) through UQ's School of Political Science and International Studies.

He has since worked with the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, was program officer for the World Bank's Justice for the Poor program and is currently working for the United Nations Development Program, in its Access to Justice project.

Mr Heang returned to Brisbane in September 2008 to receive his award and was also awarded a Commendation in the 2008 Queensland Education and Training International Award.

UQ Reader in International Relations Dr Marianne Hanson said the University was very proud of Path's remarkable achievements and his commitment to promoting Queensland education and speaking about his experiences as a Rotary World Peace Fellow to help others.

Dr Hanson said people with an interest in international politics and peace and conflict resolution requiring information about applying for Rotary World Peace Fellowships could visit: https://www.rotary.org/EN/STUDENTSANDYOUTH/EDUCATIONALPROGRAMS/Pages/ridefault.aspx

 

 Chancellor of the University of Queensland, Sir Llew Edwards, AC with International Alumnus of the Year, Mr Path Heang.