Khanpangna “Eno” Khounsy, a 24-year-old student from Laos, has made history by becoming the first Lao national to receive the prestigious Prix d’Excellence from Université Mohammed V de Rabat, one of Morocco’s most respected public universities.
The Prix d’Excellence is awarded annually to a small number of top-performing students in recognition of academic achievement, research potential, and civic engagement. It is one of the highest honors in Morocco’s higher education system and rarely awarded to international students.
Khampagna “Eno” Khounsy stands alongside students and professors at Université Mohammed V de Rabat during the award ceremony (photo supplied)
Eno, who completed his undergraduate degree in Public Law, was selected for his outstanding academic performance and active participation in international student conferences.
He is now pursuing a Master’s in Diplomatic Studies, with a thesis focused on strengthening cooperation between ASEAN and Africa.
“I am extremely proud of myself,” Eno shared. “I didn’t think, for once, in my entire life, that I’d accomplish this sort of achievement.”
His distinction stemmed not only from academic excellence but also from his active engagement in research and participation in international student conferences. He said he had been involved in discussions exploring how developing countries could take on a more significant role in global organizations.
Eno’s academic path was inspired by a Mali mentor he met during his first year in Morocco, while undergoing French language training before beginning university. The mentor, a former recipient of the same award, had a lasting impact on him and was the one who sparked Eno’s interest in diplomacy.
Encouraged by his seniors, he chose to study Public Law—a field he felt offered both international relevance and practical application for Laos.
“The reason why I chose Public Law is also because it is international and can be applied to Laos,” he noted.
Culture Shock
Eno’s journey to excellence began in 2019, when he left his home in Vientiane Capital to study in Morocco through an exchange program. The transition was anything but easy.
“New language, environment, culture, religion. This country is absolutely not for beginners. If you’re not tough enough, you go back to where you came from.”
Arriving with no prior knowledge of French, the primary academic language in Morocco, Eno enrolled in an intensive language program. Through hard work and everyday interactions, he reached a B2 level, which he equates to a Band 7 IELTS score.
He is also teaching himself Arabic in his spare time.
He explained that in Laos, most of his social circles revolved around having fun, with daily conversations often centered on where to hang out next, contrasting it with the more academically driven environment he found in Morocco.
“Here, the community is very diverse, but it’s what I didn’t know I needed,” he added. “The priority is not about fun; it’s about academic self-improvement.”
He surrounded himself with peers who had clear goals and ambitions, which helped him stay focused and pushed him further toward his interests in diplomacy and international cooperation.
Despite his academic success, Eno’s journey was nearly derailed in 2021, when he suffered a medical emergency after his appendix ruptured.
“There weren’t many people but only two friends who were looking after me during that hard time,” he said. “It wasn’t the community or the language that almost broke me—it was my health.”
His family urged him to return to Laos, but Eno stayed, determined to recover and complete his studies. That decision, he believes, defined his resilience and deepened his sense of purpose.
Looking Ahead: A Diplomatic Dream
Despite the ordeal, Eno made a full recovery and continued his academic journey with even greater determination.
Now completing his master’s degree, Eno hopes to bring his international experience back to Laos. His ambition is to work in the public sector, focusing on diplomacy and global cooperation.
“I want to join the public sector and become a diplomat,” he shared. “I want to use what I’ve learned to contribute to Laos’ foreign relations strategy and explore partnerships with African countries”
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Eno.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-05-16 08:59:362025-05-15 09:01:17First Lao Student in Morocco Wins Top University Award
Khammuoane authorities are turning former president Nouhak Phoumsavanh’s old residence into a national memorial to honor his legacy as one of Laos’ most influential revolutionary leaders.
On 5 May, Khammoune Governor Vanxay Phongsavanh and provincial officials visited Nongping village in Boualapha District to inspect the renovation of the historic home once occupied by the late Lao President.
Funded by the provincial government, the project includes restoration of the roof, interior structure, and surrounding landscape. The plan also features land demarcation and the construction of a 35-kilometer road connecting Nha Waed village to Thang Bang Nam Jala village to improve accessibility.
khammouane authorities inspect the progress of Nouhak’s former house. Nongping village, Bualapha district, Khammouane district, 05 may 2025. (Photo credit: Lao National Radio)
Born in Thailand in 1914, but holding a Lao nationality, Nouhak later moved to Savannakhet as a young man, working as a truck driver and owning a trucking business, operating between Laos and Vietnam, where he met the Vietminh. In 1933, he married Chanthom, with whom he had four children. Later, in 1944, he married Bounma Phoumsavanh, and they had five children together.
Around 1945, Nouhak connected with Souphanouvong and represented the Lao Issara movement. During the First Indochina War, he led guerrilla operations in coordination with the Vietminh along the Lao-Vietnamese border.
In 1955, Nouhak Phoumsavanh emerged as one of the key founding members of the Lao People’s Party (later renamed the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, LPRP), establishing himself as a prominent leader in the resistance movement against French colonial rule. As part of the influential triumvirate that spearheaded the opposition, he played a pivotal role in the three-decade civil war that culminated in 1975.
The Pathet Lao movement, with Nouhak as one of the central figures, established Laos’ new era in 1975.
After the country’s revolution, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. From 1982 to 1989, he served as the first Vice President of the Ministerial Assembly and was a permanent member of the council. In 1989, he became President of the Supreme People’s Assembly. He later assumed the role of the third President of Laos, serving from 1992 to 1996, during a crucial phase in the nation’s development. Nouhak passed away on 9 September 2008 at the age of 94.
In 2011, a memorial honoring Nouhak was erected at his birthplace in Mukdahan to honor his legacy. Mukdahan Governor Charnwit Vasayangkorn and his sister, Sida Phoumsavanh, attended the ceremony at the site, marking another important step in preserving his contributions beyond the border.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Nouhaks-old-house.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-05-15 09:55:002025-05-15 08:58:49Former President Nouhak’s Residence in Khammouane to Be National Memorial
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and Laos’ Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment officially concluded the ASEAN Municipal Solid Waste Management Enhancement (AMUSE) Project on April 25 after two years of work. The project introduced innovative solutions to tackle waste challenges across the city.
The initiative set up 75 recycling banks in hotels, restaurants, and guesthouses across Vang Vieng, helping businesses separate waste at the source.
This has created a stronger recycling system where 108 tons of materials are now recovered and safely recycled every month. A total of 286 hospitality service providers were trained, and almost half a million residents and tourists have benefited from the cleaner environment.
Highlighting the system’s success, Viraphon Neuansengsy from the Department of Environment said, “The AMUSE project has improved the system through establishing a city-wide recycling bank system and increased participation from the private sector and the tourism industry.”
In addition to setting up physical recycling points, the project focused on shaping the future of waste management in Vang Vieng. It introduced new ways to handle organic waste and developed a city-wide plan based on circular economy principles — treating waste as a resource rather than a problem.
The improvements have made a real difference for local businesses too, according to Ken Insane from Patthana Recycling Shop.
He shared, “The biggest change is cleaner recyclable materials and an increase in the volume that we can recover. Before, everything was mixed in the landfill truck. Now, with source separation, our job is easier and more profitable. We receive and process four times more materials than we used to receive in 2022 before the project started.”
Beyond environmental impacts, AMUSE also delivered important social benefits. The project trained public and private sector workers on sustainable solid waste management, with a focus on supporting informal waste workers and women by offering safety training and creating new income opportunities.
Looking ahead, local officials are determined to keep the momentum going. Vice Mayor Souviengthong Vongchampa emphasized, “This project has not only improved our environment but also raised awareness among our community and visitors. We will continue building on these successes to make Vang Vieng a model for sustainable tourism and waste management across Lao PDR.”
Echoing this optimism, Eva Diaz Ugena from GGGI concluded, “Through close collaboration with our government and regional partners, we’ve achieved 100 percent completion of planned activities, including recycling banks and local capacity building. Vang Vieng now stands as a strong example of how circular economy models can be locally led and regionally relevant.”
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Vang-Vieng-Goes-Green-with-New-Waste-System.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-05-07 09:46:002025-04-29 09:58:15Vang Vieng Goes Green with New Waste System
First Lao Student in Morocco Wins Top University Award
Khanpangna “Eno” Khounsy, a 24-year-old student from Laos, has made history by becoming the first Lao national to receive the prestigious Prix d’Excellence from Université Mohammed V de Rabat, one of Morocco’s most respected public universities.
The Prix d’Excellence is awarded annually to a small number of top-performing students in recognition of academic achievement, research potential, and civic engagement. It is one of the highest honors in Morocco’s higher education system and rarely awarded to international students.
Eno, who completed his undergraduate degree in Public Law, was selected for his outstanding academic performance and active participation in international student conferences.
He is now pursuing a Master’s in Diplomatic Studies, with a thesis focused on strengthening cooperation between ASEAN and Africa.
“I am extremely proud of myself,” Eno shared. “I didn’t think, for once, in my entire life, that I’d accomplish this sort of achievement.”
His distinction stemmed not only from academic excellence but also from his active engagement in research and participation in international student conferences. He said he had been involved in discussions exploring how developing countries could take on a more significant role in global organizations.
Eno’s academic path was inspired by a Mali mentor he met during his first year in Morocco, while undergoing French language training before beginning university. The mentor, a former recipient of the same award, had a lasting impact on him and was the one who sparked Eno’s interest in diplomacy.
Encouraged by his seniors, he chose to study Public Law—a field he felt offered both international relevance and practical application for Laos.
“The reason why I chose Public Law is also because it is international and can be applied to Laos,” he noted.
Culture Shock
Eno’s journey to excellence began in 2019, when he left his home in Vientiane Capital to study in Morocco through an exchange program. The transition was anything but easy.
“New language, environment, culture, religion. This country is absolutely not for beginners. If you’re not tough enough, you go back to where you came from.”
Arriving with no prior knowledge of French, the primary academic language in Morocco, Eno enrolled in an intensive language program. Through hard work and everyday interactions, he reached a B2 level, which he equates to a Band 7 IELTS score.
He is also teaching himself Arabic in his spare time.
He explained that in Laos, most of his social circles revolved around having fun, with daily conversations often centered on where to hang out next, contrasting it with the more academically driven environment he found in Morocco.
“Here, the community is very diverse, but it’s what I didn’t know I needed,” he added. “The priority is not about fun; it’s about academic self-improvement.”
He surrounded himself with peers who had clear goals and ambitions, which helped him stay focused and pushed him further toward his interests in diplomacy and international cooperation.
Despite his academic success, Eno’s journey was nearly derailed in 2021, when he suffered a medical emergency after his appendix ruptured.
“There weren’t many people but only two friends who were looking after me during that hard time,” he said. “It wasn’t the community or the language that almost broke me—it was my health.”
His family urged him to return to Laos, but Eno stayed, determined to recover and complete his studies. That decision, he believes, defined his resilience and deepened his sense of purpose.
Looking Ahead: A Diplomatic Dream
Despite the ordeal, Eno made a full recovery and continued his academic journey with even greater determination.
Now completing his master’s degree, Eno hopes to bring his international experience back to Laos. His ambition is to work in the public sector, focusing on diplomacy and global cooperation.
“I want to join the public sector and become a diplomat,” he shared. “I want to use what I’ve learned to contribute to Laos’ foreign relations strategy and explore partnerships with African countries”
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/09/first-lao-student-in-morocco-wins-top-university-award/
Former President Nouhak’s Residence in Khammouane to Be National Memorial
Khammuoane authorities are turning former president Nouhak Phoumsavanh’s old residence into a national memorial to honor his legacy as one of Laos’ most influential revolutionary leaders.
On 5 May, Khammoune Governor Vanxay Phongsavanh and provincial officials visited Nongping village in Boualapha District to inspect the renovation of the historic home once occupied by the late Lao President.
Funded by the provincial government, the project includes restoration of the roof, interior structure, and surrounding landscape. The plan also features land demarcation and the construction of a 35-kilometer road connecting Nha Waed village to Thang Bang Nam Jala village to improve accessibility.
Born in Thailand in 1914, but holding a Lao nationality, Nouhak later moved to Savannakhet as a young man, working as a truck driver and owning a trucking business, operating between Laos and Vietnam, where he met the Vietminh. In 1933, he married Chanthom, with whom he had four children. Later, in 1944, he married Bounma Phoumsavanh, and they had five children together.
Around 1945, Nouhak connected with Souphanouvong and represented the Lao Issara movement. During the First Indochina War, he led guerrilla operations in coordination with the Vietminh along the Lao-Vietnamese border.
In 1955, Nouhak Phoumsavanh emerged as one of the key founding members of the Lao People’s Party (later renamed the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, LPRP), establishing himself as a prominent leader in the resistance movement against French colonial rule. As part of the influential triumvirate that spearheaded the opposition, he played a pivotal role in the three-decade civil war that culminated in 1975.
The Pathet Lao movement, with Nouhak as one of the central figures, established Laos’ new era in 1975.
After the country’s revolution, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. From 1982 to 1989, he served as the first Vice President of the Ministerial Assembly and was a permanent member of the council. In 1989, he became President of the Supreme People’s Assembly. He later assumed the role of the third President of Laos, serving from 1992 to 1996, during a crucial phase in the nation’s development. Nouhak passed away on 9 September 2008 at the age of 94.
In 2011, a memorial honoring Nouhak was erected at his birthplace in Mukdahan to honor his legacy. Mukdahan Governor Charnwit Vasayangkorn and his sister, Sida Phoumsavanh, attended the ceremony at the site, marking another important step in preserving his contributions beyond the border.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/05/07/former-president-nouhaks-residence-in-khammouane-to-be-national-memorial/
Vang Vieng Goes Green with New Waste System
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and Laos’ Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment officially concluded the ASEAN Municipal Solid Waste Management Enhancement (AMUSE) Project on April 25 after two years of work. The project introduced innovative solutions to tackle waste challenges across the city.
The initiative set up 75 recycling banks in hotels, restaurants, and guesthouses across Vang Vieng, helping businesses separate waste at the source.
This has created a stronger recycling system where 108 tons of materials are now recovered and safely recycled every month. A total of 286 hospitality service providers were trained, and almost half a million residents and tourists have benefited from the cleaner environment.
Highlighting the system’s success, Viraphon Neuansengsy from the Department of Environment said, “The AMUSE project has improved the system through establishing a city-wide recycling bank system and increased participation from the private sector and the tourism industry.”
In addition to setting up physical recycling points, the project focused on shaping the future of waste management in Vang Vieng. It introduced new ways to handle organic waste and developed a city-wide plan based on circular economy principles — treating waste as a resource rather than a problem.
The improvements have made a real difference for local businesses too, according to Ken Insane from Patthana Recycling Shop.
He shared, “The biggest change is cleaner recyclable materials and an increase in the volume that we can recover. Before, everything was mixed in the landfill truck. Now, with source separation, our job is easier and more profitable. We receive and process four times more materials than we used to receive in 2022 before the project started.”
Beyond environmental impacts, AMUSE also delivered important social benefits. The project trained public and private sector workers on sustainable solid waste management, with a focus on supporting informal waste workers and women by offering safety training and creating new income opportunities.
Looking ahead, local officials are determined to keep the momentum going. Vice Mayor Souviengthong Vongchampa emphasized, “This project has not only improved our environment but also raised awareness among our community and visitors. We will continue building on these successes to make Vang Vieng a model for sustainable tourism and waste management across Lao PDR.”
Echoing this optimism, Eva Diaz Ugena from GGGI concluded, “Through close collaboration with our government and regional partners, we’ve achieved 100 percent completion of planned activities, including recycling banks and local capacity building. Vang Vieng now stands as a strong example of how circular economy models can be locally led and regionally relevant.”
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/04/28/vang-vieng-goes-green-with-new-waste-system/