Cambodia - Digital inclusion to end poverty

Context

Financial difficulties continue to be a barrier for high school graduates to pursue their higher education in Cambodia. 60% of the working poor population survives with less than $3 USD a day. In consequence, many young Cambodians must drop their studies, move to neighboring countries, and end up working in very difficult conditions to send some money home. 

77% of the population lives in rural areas and 49% is under 25. Most secondary education is provided on a fee-paying basis, and is therefore inaccessible to most students, especially in rural areas.

Since 2005, 

• 1621 graduates. 

Selection/Professional Orientation

In 2022

• Information sessions were conducted with 42 high school and NGO partners by high school teachers, NGOs and the PNC team. 3000 candidates attended the sessions. Among them, the PNC team received 1400 candidates.

• 604 took the written exams. 
• 300 home visits
• 75 students were selected ( 51% girls) 

(May) PNC hosted the 7th Career Forum: an opportunity for our company partners to recruit new employees by meeting diverse skilled graduates and students. More than 500 students and job seekers attended the event. 

(September)  our partner company, Renet Japan, hosted an Ideathon event. 100 of our students participated to tackle social issues by using technology-based solutions, and one of our students won second place in the competition. 

(December)  the graduation ceremony for Class of 2020 and 2021 was held to celebrate students' completion of our program, with the participation of NGO and Companies partners. It was the first time we held the event outside of PNC. The event was also broadcasted on national television, BTV Cambodia.

• Cambodia success story (PDF)