Photo: Volunteers and liaison officers attend the training course at National University of Laos.
More than 1,200 students from the National University of Laos (NUOL) are currently attending a training course to prepare for the duties they will perform at the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane in December.
The 807 volunteers and 411 liaison officers were selected for the training course after been interviewed by teachers from the university's Department of English in February and March.
An opening ceremony for the training course was held on Wednesday at the university and was attended by Vice President of the Lao National Sports committee (LNSC), Mr Somphou Phongsa, and senior teachers from NUOL.
NUOL President Dr Soukkongseng Saignaleuth said the course aimed to make sure the students would be able to do their work at the games efficiently and be of help to visitors and athletes .
He said the students would study the cultures and customs of other Asean member countries.
Topics for the training course include the history of the SEA Games, tourism in the region, Lao culture, English language, geography, history, and the roles and responsibilities of volunteers and liaison officers.
The course will run until March 31 and is being taught by Mr Somphou and teachers from NUOL.
The volunteers will be divided into four groups of about 200 each, while the liaison officers will be split into two groups.
A further 2,000 volunteers are needed for the games and the NUOL is currently in the process of going through more than 6,000 applications from students wanting to be a part of the games. Teachers will select a further 2,000 students, who will then take a similar training course.
The university is seeking more than one billion kip in funding for the training courses from the government.
The LNSC will delegate responsibilities and duties to a total of 3,000 volunteers and liaison officers in June.
By working at the SEA Games, the students will gain valuable experience and be able to help tighten the bonds of friendship between Laos and other countries in the reg ion.
Volunteers will take care of official guests and dignitaries during the games, while liaison officers will accompany athletes as they travel between venues, and help with public security.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes
