FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(February 23, 2022) — A new $15 million USAID-funded initiative that will give young Cambodians the skills to compete in the digital economy was launched today in Phnom Penh by U.S. Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy and Minister of Education Youth and Sport H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron. The University of California at Berkeley will implement the five-year “USAID Digital Workforce Development project” along with Cambodian partner institutions.
The project will improve the digital skills of Cambodia’s youth and professionals so the country will improve its competitiveness in a global economy that is increasingly technology-reliant and requires a digitally skilled labor force.
The new activity will work with Cambodian higher education institutions to strengthen courses and programs for students in the area of information and communication technology. It will also help those institutions meet recognized educational standards so that employers can recruit Cambodian graduates, with confidence.
Scholarships and networking opportunities will be a priority for the new project so that Cambodian students and youth can build their skills and find the job opportunities that match their education.
The project will also bridge Cambodia’s private sector and local universities by creating job opportunities through internships in collaboration with the private sector. The project will put a high priority on inclusivity, to ensure that youth from all backgrounds can access the opportunities it will offer.
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For more information:
Chanda Pen, Chief of Party
USAID Digital Workforce Development
Email: penchanda@gmail.com
About USAID/Cambodia
Reaching all 25 Cambodian provinces, USAID works with government and international partners to implement a range of programs that benefit all Cambodians. USAID focuses on strengthening democratic governance and human rights; improving health and nutrition; supporting education and child development; increasing agricultural production and food security; conserving forests and watersheds; and helping farmers and households adapt to and mitigate the impact of natural hazards.
About University of California Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley is a globally renowned public land-grant research university. Established in 1868 as the University of California, its fourteen colleges and schools offer over 350 degree programs and enroll some 31,000 undergraduate and 12,000 graduate students. Berkeley is ranked as one the world’s top universities and has 114 Nobel laureates. Berkeley alumni, widely recognized for their entrepreneurship, have founded numerous notable companies, including Apple, Tesla, Intel, eBay, SoftBank, AIG, and Morgan Stanley.
