The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) and Viettel (Cambodia) Pte. Ltd. (Metfone) have signed a trilateral agreement to strengthen cooperation to advance the digital transformation of Cambodia’s higher education sector.
The agreement was signed on Nov. 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, on the sidelines of the first Asia-Pacific Francophone Science Cycle (CSFAP), held from Nov. 10 to 12 at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia under the theme “Science and Francophonie for Peace and Sustainable Stability.”
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation to modernise higher education through digital administration, the development of digital learning, the application of artificial intelligence (AI), and capacity-building through training and knowledge sharing. It also seeks to expand internship, employment and scholarship opportunities for students.
Under the agreement, the three parties will focus on four key areas of cooperation.
The first area concerns the modernisation of digital administration through the digitalisation of administrative documents and procedures, student enrolment and management, as well as the development and implementation of information management systems for higher education institutions.
These systems are expected to be integrated with the National Education Information Management System, including the Higher Education Information Management System (HEMIS).
The second area focuses on promoting digital learning and the application of AI through the digitalisation of teaching materials and learning resources, the development of e-learning platforms, and the exploration of AI as a tool to support decision-making, monitor academic performance and provide learning guidance to students.
The third area involves training and knowledge sharing, particularly in telecommunications, information technology and AI, targeting lecturers, administrative staff and students.
The initiative aims to strengthen technological competencies and contribute to developing a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting Cambodia’s growing digital economy needs.
The fourth area seeks to expand internship, employment and scholarship opportunities by facilitating placements and job opportunities for qualified students, developing scholarship programmes to attract and nurture young talent, and providing career guidance and professional development support, including through the job centres of French-language higher education institutions.
The MoU reflects the continued commitment of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, AUF and the private sector to strengthening partnerships in support of Cambodia’s higher education development.
The cooperation is expected to improve the quality and efficiency of educational management, teaching and learning, while equipping Cambodian students and graduates with the knowledge and technological skills needed to respond to rapid technological advancements and the evolving demands of the labour market.
Besides, three Cambodian universities – the Royal University of Fine Arts, the Royal University of Phnom Penh, and the National Institute of Education – also 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).
