Cambodia, as a developing country, continues to grapple with challenges in human resource development, particularly in the realm of digital skills. Despite the rapid advancements in technology and the increasing importance of digital literacy, Cambodian students still exhibit a lack of interest in pursuing digital skills within the university setting. This disinterest stems from a lack of awareness regarding the significance and potential opportunities that digital skills can provide. However, the Royal Government of Cambodia has taken significant steps to address this issue by issuing several policies and roadmaps aimed at supporting digital transformation and achieving the status of a digital government by 2035. Let’s delve into some valuable insights that shed light on the current state of digital skills in higher education:
Digital Skills Landscape
According to the insightful “Roadmap for Digital Skills Development in Cambodia, 2024-2035” published by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication of Cambodia, it is revealed that only 10% of the 200,000 university students in the academic year 2021-2022 are pursuing digital studies. This statistic highlights that the interest among Cambodian students in digital skills is relatively lower compared to disciplines such as social science, business, and law, which account for 60% of the student population.
However, the data also indicates a positive trend, showcasing a gradual increase in the number of students opting for digital majors year by year. For instance, the academic year 2017-2018 saw 11,867 students registering for digital majors, whereas in the academic year 2021-2022, the figure rose to 17,508. This upward trajectory demonstrates a growing recognition and interest among students in the field of digital skills.
Digital Skills Development Landscape
The roadmap also reveals that currently, there are 53 educational institutions offering digital degrees in Cambodia. Out of these, 36 institutions are situated in Phnom Penh, while the remaining institutions are spread across various provinces including Siem Reap, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Thom, Kampong Speu, Pursat, Sihanoukville, Kampot, Takeo, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Tboung Khmum, and Kratie. Let’s take a look at the study programs provided by these institutions:
- Computer Science (39)
- Management Information System (MIS): (15)
- Telecom and Networking: (9)
- Computer Engineering: (9)
- Multimedia and Creative Design: (1)
- Game Programming: (1)
- Software Development: (1)
- Animation: (1)
Government Initiatives in Digital Skills Development
However, driven by the ambition to establish itself as a digital government by 2035, the Royal Government of Cambodia has taken significant strides by introducing various policies and roadmaps. Noteworthy among these are the “CAMBODIA DIGITAL GOVERNMENT POLICY 2022-2035” and the “ROADMAP FOR DIGITAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN CAMBODIA 2024-2035.” These crucial initiatives are instrumental in propelling the nation towards digital transformation and fostering a society that thrives on social and digital economics in the foreseeable future. Moreover, they serve as a guiding framework for human resource development, emphasizing the indispensable role of digital skills in Cambodia’s journey towards digital transformation.
Source: Ministry of Post and Telecommunication. (January 2024). ROADMAP FOR DIGITAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN CAMBODIA 2024-2035.
Photos by: Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia
