Cambodia-Japan Cooperate on ICT Research

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (9 January 2011)

The rapid advancement of information and communication technologies (JCT) has contributed to the economic development in Cambodia. The integration of ICT into Private and public sectors has increase productivity and efficiency at the workplace, and it has become an indispensible tool for many. Cambodia and Japan launched the “The Japan-Cambodia Joint Symposium on Information System and Communication Technology (JCAICT)” on January 6-8, in Phnom Penh, to cooperate on ICT research that will promote substantial growth of business. This was sponsored of IEEJ, EISS-IEEJ, Osaka Prefecture University and the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

The Japan-Cambodia Joint Symposium on Information System and Communication technology (ISCT) provided a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss best practices to raise awareness, and share experience to promote mutual understanding and friendship among researchers and practitioners.

H.E. Pit Chamnan, Secretary of State of Ministry of Education Youth and Sport (MoEYS), said at the launching ceremony that wider application of ICT have been observed in various sectors throughout public and private institutions.

“We now depend on technology…[so]…much that it has become indispensable tools for our daily lives both professional and personal,” he stated.

He continued to say that the Royal Government of Cambodia has made ICT a priority and has also prepared for its new challenges. Since its third mandate, the government has included ICT in its Rectangular Strategy Growth, Employment, Equity and Efficiency strategies.

ICT in education is also making headway now following the decision of MoEYS to implement its Master Plan (2003-2013), which is based on policies with three main goals: to provide students with ICT skills for classroom and social needs; to use ICT to improve the quality of teaching; and to use ICT to improve educational administration. As H.E. Pit Chamnan highlighted, the plan focuses on expanding computer use, increasing access to the information and research, reaching out to more students through distance education, and distributing research and subject documents through an electronic repository or clearing house.

To ensure smooth implementation of its master plan, MoEYS needs empirical data from various research findings as well as feedback and lessons learned from other countries in the region that have started implementation of ICT, he said, adding that this forum also provide the opportunity for Cambodian and Japanese researchers, scholars and engineers to learn from each other, share research outcomes, and exchanging ideas and experiences.

“I am very proud that students in Cambodia have submitted their research articles to this forum for review and …[that the articles have been]…accepted for presentation and publication,” he said.

At the ceremony, Chhic Eav Lav, President of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said that the JCAICT 2011 is a first and great forum that Japan and Cambodia have jointly conducted to offer the opportunity for researchers and scholars from Cambodia, Japan and other countries to share their research about ICT. He added that ISCT has played a crucial role in connecting people, enhancing their live and developing society in countries around the world.

In their speech during the opening ceremony, Hiroshi Tsuji and Marry Kong, General co-chairs of JCAICT 2011, highlighted that Japan has enjoyed advanced information and communication technologies but needs more breakthroughs and Cambodia in recent year has witnessed a significant economic growth and there is a growth interest and necessity in advanced research and development in ICT, so both countries in need for the diversified demands of their respective societies, and research-based cooperation and collaboration between Japan and Cambodia in information systems and communication technology is contributing the needs as well as to more mutual business opportunities.

“ICT has played an important role in socio-economic development around the world as well as in Cambodia,” he said. “The need needs for more advanced ICT are growing rapidly from day to day, which requires more research and development.”

Taketoshi Okuno, president of Osaka Prefecture University, said that ISCT is the most important infrastructural elements in current knowledge-based society. “I feel certain that in the friendly atmosphere and intensive discussions of JCAICT, many ideas and challenges in these areas will emerge, and that new and enduring friendships will form.”

By S.L (Vol.5, Issue 2, SEAW)