Japanese firm A2A Town Cambodia has pledged to cooperate with the government to develop human resources in Cambodia in a move to embrace the so-called industrial revolution 4.0 digital economy.
In a discussion with the Ministry of Industry, Science, and Technology and Innovation this week, the company said it is seeking to work with the ministry to further develop the technology sector, ensuring it can seize opportunities in the sector.
The government allowed eco-tourism Kirirom Nature City to be built inside vKirirom National Park, in Kampong Speu province, where the company is now working on its three projects, including vKirirom Pine Resort, vKirirom Resort House and Kirirom Institute of Technology – an academic institution with a world-class information technology engineering training programme.
The company said its educational institution has awarded scholarships to many Cambodian students, after entrance examinations, to obtain software engineering training.
Cham Prasidh, minister at the Ministry of Industry, Science, and Technology & Innovation, said the company has not just contributed to eco-tourism development, but played an important role in the technology education sector.
He added that his ministry and the company will sign a memorandum of understanding for human resources training, as well as other collaborations moving towards creating a technological science park in the future.
The name of the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft was recently changed to the Ministry of Industry, Science, and Technology & Innovation ministry. It will be a key player in the Kingdom’s attempt to achieve a digital economy to keep pace with the industrial revolution 4.0 – a goal shared with other Asean member-states, said Tung Ciny, chairman of the National Committee of Science, Technology and Innovation.
“Developments in science, technology and innovation present an effective tool for pushing productivity growth in the Kingdom’s agricultural, tourism and industrial sectors. We expect a higher income for the public with the onset of digital transformations,” Ciny said.
Chea Vandeth, newly appointed Minister of Post and Telecommunications, has foreseen the growing importance of technology in improving the quality and access to the country’s education system, believing that by leveraging technology in higher education, the Kingdom can build a more robust workforce amid a ferocious labour market.
“Robust tertiary education can lay down a strong foundation for a successful digital transformation in Cambodia and help us leapfrog the development stages by taking advantage of the fourth industrial revolution in the upcoming years,” he said.
Enhancing greater access to quality education also requires strong digital infrastructure on every front where, he said, the government must focus on strengthening infrastructure development and broadband connectivity.
“We will facilitate the adoption of technology in education, the business community, NGOs [nongovernmental organisations] and households. We will also ensure good governance in the technology sector by developing effective policies and regulatory frameworks, together with the development of information and communications technology human capital,” said the minister.
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
