Prime Minister Hun Manet (left) and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol recently discussed the importance of industrial and digital skills in driving economic transformation and innovation. Supplied
Cambodia and South Korea have solidified their commitment to providing future generations with essential digital skills through a strategic partnership.
The collaboration, highlighted in a June 5 statement by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Cambodia Office, aims to bridge the gap between training quality and job market demands, focusing on the development of information and communication technology (ICT) talents.
It explained that a recent high-level dialogue between Prime Minister Hun Manet and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol underscored the importance of industrial and digital skills in driving economic transformation and innovation.
This mutual understanding led to the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the Skilled and Professional Talent Development Programme, which acknowledges the need for cooperation in Human Capital Development.
“Amongst many qualifications, digital skills dealing with ICT are crucial for individuals who are seeking opportunities in the job market, especially in light of rapid advancement in digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI),” said the June 5 release.
Since its establishment in Phnom Penh in 2003, KOICA has been at the forefront of various development cooperation programs in Cambodia, spanning education, health, and rural development sectors.
The agency's current initiatives focus on integrating digital training across different educational levels and fostering ICT skills among Cambodian youth.
“One key project, ‘ICT Capacity Building of Lower Secondary Education in Cambodia,’ aims to enhance the digital competencies of teachers at lower secondary schools and candidate teachers at Regional Teacher Training Centres,” said KOICA.
This project has resulted in the creation of a wide range of educational materials, including Python programming textbooks, tailored for educators.
Another programme, "Establishment of Business Incubation System between University and Industry in Cambodia," provides tech startups and aspiring entrepreneurs with business development training, technical assistance and networking opportunities with investors and other enterprises, added the statement.
These efforts ensure that digital training, from secondary through tertiary education, equips students with the necessary ICT skills to thrive in the job market.
The partnership between Cambodia and South Korea also includes a project with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training titled “Building Capacity and Establishing an Enabling Environment in ICT Majors of TVET in Cambodia”.
Launched in 2023, this project aims to align the ICT curriculum in TVET institutes with private sector demands, improve the quality of training delivery and create an enabling environment for students through the renovation of computer labs for teaching programming.
The curriculum development process involves consultations with the private sector, ensuring that the training meets the requirements of the modern job market.
“In recognition of science, technology, and innovation (STI) as a critical and evolving sector pivotal for socio-economic advancement, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in this sector,” said KOICA.
Both sides welcomed the ongoing project, with public TVET institutes across Cambodian provinces applying to participate. The twenty beneficiary schools selected will be announced soon.
The Project Steering Committee, chaired by the labour minister and co-chaired by KOICA’s country director, will oversee the selection process.
“KOICA remains dedicated to strengthening the partnership between Cambodia and South Korea, fostering closer ties between the two nations, and continuing its efforts to develop ICT talents crucial for Cambodia's digital future,” added the statement.
“This strategic collaboration promises to boost the digital skills of Cambodian youth, aligning workforce capabilities with job market needs and driving socio-economic advancement,” it added.
