Rhys Treloar
21 March 2007: As the University prepares to launch an ad campaign on Canberra's buses, the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies (CCES) has found a distinctly Cambodian equivalent, which is bringing new hope for one dedicated tuk tuk driver.
Tung Bo, has a brand new tuk tuk bearing the Centre's logo thanks to four members of the CCES team.
Four senior customs officials from Pakistan and Hong Kong visited the campus in January to learn the latest in risk management from the University's Centre for Customs and Excise Studies.
Tung Bo with his new tuk tuk
Mr Tung first came to their attention in 2006 shortly after the CCES began working with AusAID and the Cambodian-Australia Technical Assistance Facility to improve the nation's border controls.
The customs team was impressed by his dedication to his studies at the Australian Centre for Education, his work ethic and warm, welcoming persona, according to CCES associate directors John Howard and Athol Gardiner.
Tuk tuk's are a major source of public transport in Phnom Penh and can be seen buzzing around the city at all hours, but as a result, Mr Tung's tuk tuk was "on its last legs" by the end of 2006, leaving his income at risk, Mr Howard said.
"He's a really nice guy struggling to support himself and his family on a day to day basis. He's trying to help himself and his family by education and that is what impressed us about him," Mr Howard said.
"It was obvious that he needed a new tuk tuk so he could continue to provide for his family while he completed his studies."
When Mr Howard and colleagues Athol Gardiner, Alan Murray and Frank Malkoun returned to Cambodia in January this year they informed an excited Mr Tung they would sponsor the construction of a new tuk tuk.
"In return, we asked him to wear the Centre's baseball cap and T-shirt and display the Centre's logo and website on his tuk tuk. We are hopeful that there will be more students from Cambodia studying with us in the future."
The proposal hit a minor speed hump when the Mayor of Phnom Penh declared there was to be no advertising on tuk tuk's in the city. However after intervention from the Prime Minister Samdeck Hun Sen, the proposal went ahead, and a transfer bearing the CCES logo will soon be on its way to Mr Tung.
Please see related article from the Canberra Times! Today with Megan Doherty - "Publicity hits the streets", Tuesday 20 March 2007.