Phnom Penh:The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), and Viettel (Cambodia) Pte. Ltd. (Metfone) have formalized a partnership through a trilateral agreement aimed at advancing the digital transformation of Cambodia's higher education sector.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the agreement was signed on November 11 by H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Mr. Slim Khalbous, Rector of AUF, and Mr. Cao Manh Duc, Chief Executive Officer of Viettel (Cambodia) Pte. Ltd. This event took place on the sidelines of the first Asia-Pacific Francophone Science Cycle (CSFAP), held from November 10 to 12 at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia.
The agreement sets a framework for cooperation to modernize higher education through digital administration, digital learning development, artificial intelligence (AI) application, and capacity-building through training and knowledge sharing. It also aims to expand internship, employment, and scholarship opportunities for students.
The collaboration will focus on four main areas. The first area involves the modernization of digital administration, which includes the digitalization of administrative documents and procedures, student enrollment and management, and the development of information management systems for higher education institutions integrated with the National Education Information Management System.
The second area emphasizes promoting digital learning and AI application by digitalizing teaching materials and learning resources, developing e-learning platforms, and exploring AI's role in decision-making and academic performance monitoring.
The third focal area is training and knowledge sharing, particularly in telecommunications, IT, and AI, targeting lecturers, administrative staff, and students to strengthen technological competencies and contribute to a skilled workforce for Cambodia's digital economy.
The fourth area seeks to expand opportunities for internships, employment, and scholarships, facilitating job placements, developing scholarship programs, and providing career guidance and professional development support through job centers at French-language higher education institutions.
The MoU signifies the ongoing commitment of MoEYS, AUF, and the private sector to foster partnerships supporting the development of Cambodia's higher education. The cooperation aims to enhance educational management, teaching, and learning quality, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed for technological advancements and labor market demands.
In addition, three Cambodian universities, including the Royal University of Fine Arts, the Royal University of Phnom Penh, and the National Institute of Education, have signed an agreement with the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilisations (INALCO), the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), and the Structure and Dynamics of Languages Laboratory (SeDyL).