Gov’t links up with Japan to strengthen ICT sector

THE Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications launched a human resources development program yesterday with the Japanese gover nment t o strengthen the quality of instruction and professionalism in Cambodia’s information and communication technol- ogy industry.

The project, which focuses on human resource development in the information and communication technologies (ICT), is a joint venture between the ministry and Japan’s entrepreneurial development organisation in the Kingdom, the Cambodia International Education Support Foundation. It has also received the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Speaking at the launch ceremony yesterday, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Tram Iv Tek said the government is dedicated to developing the ICT sector in order to meet the ministry’s ambitious goals for the industry, which include teaching basic ICT skills to 95 percent of employees working in ministries in Phnom Penh, as well as 75 percent of officers working in the provinces, within the next few years.

“This joint project of the ICT human resource development . . . is considered an excellent model of cooperation to promote ICT manpower in Cam- bodia, which is in line with our telecommunications and ICT development policy,” he said, adding that the Ministry of Education would also be involved in the program, as it would be leading the effort to better equip high school students with basic ICT training.

The project consists of three basic components spanning practical ICT training, promotion of ICT education in rural areas and ICT job creation, and is set to last for four years.

Mey Kalyan, senior adviser for Supreme National Economic Council, welcomed the program, saying that it would play an integral role in training the Cambodian workforce to compete in the new labour market.