The forum consists of three major components: academic and policy roundtable discussions, research poster presentations and exhibitions on S&T. The six roundtable discussions feature 21 prominent distinguished Cambodian speakers, including leaders of academic institution and research think-tank, private sector representatives, senior government officials, independent scholars, and the media. Eleven posters were presented by S&T students and young researchers, and 16 exhibitions from academic institutions, private sectors and nonprofit organizations working on S&T. There were around 300 participants who participated in the forum. They come from various governmental institutions, NGOs, public Phnom Penh and provincial based universities, private universities, students, and interested individuals.
Opening Session
Science and technology affects all aspect of our life; they evolve around our world, improving quality of our life in one way or another. With S&T, human innovate new creative solutions improving many fields of people’s life. UNESCO, who financially supported the forum, indicated that the organization have been continuously advocating in improving quality of education putting policy reform as an agenda. Minister of Education, Youth and Sport delivered his supportive speech which acknowledged the importance of science and technology as Cambodia has moved from the low income to middle income country. Though S&T is important, the developing of these disciplines involves the engagement from not only scientists but philosopher. Additionally S&T needs to have introduced since primary education. The minister also indicates that not only STEM and STEAM which implies how important Art education to go with S&T.
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Plenary Session “Science as Institution”
Dr Chhem Rethy delivered a keynote address on ‘A life in Science’ indicating how families have a crucial role in developing the interest and passion of their children on science. Dr. Tia Phalla indicated that science is important and we have to think smart. National wide success on reducing the HIV/AIDS transmitting rate in Cambodia by engaging people to be part of the system, piloting, expanding the successful data, establishment of public policy, sending preventive message to people. In his panel, His Excellency Has Bunthon, Secretary General, General Secretariat, The National Science and Technology Council indicated that RGC has S&T Master Plan 2014-2020 to help the country grow and be able to smoothly integrate into the AEC despite many challenges.
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Exhibition and Poster Presentations “Meet the Scientists”
The program is designed to illustrate the importance of and to inspire youths about science and technology, about 30 posters and exhibitions are arranged concurrently with the conference. During this lunch break, we aim to show off some of the most exciting and latest technological and engineering innovation, and scientific research findings by young scientists, innovators and inventors, and application developers from academic institutions, industry and individuals.
Session 2: Round Table Discussion II “Promoting Research in Academia”
The panellists consist of key representatives from MOEYS’s Department of Scientific Research, the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) and the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC). The moderator and panellists consist of H.E. Mak Ngoy, Director General, Directorate General of Higher Education, MOEYS, Dr. Chan Roath, Director of Scientific Research Department, MOEYS, Dr. Tieng Siteng, Head of Bio-Engineering Department, RUPP, Dr. Hul Sieng Heng, Director of Research, ITC.
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Session 3: Round Table Discussion III “Science Popularization”
This session started with a trigger presentation on the roles of non-scientists in science promoting and is moderated by Dr Chhem Rethy, a distinguished international scientist and higher education scholar. The panellists consisted of Dr. Chhem Rethy, Executive Director, CDRI, Dr. Ros Soveacha, Independent Consultant, Dr. Yos Phanita, Deputy Director General of Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Eng Netra, Head of Governance Unit, CDRI, Mr. San Sel, Reporter, Radio Free Asia.
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Session 4: Round Table Discussion IV “University-Industry Cooperation”
The aim of this session was to discuss practical approaches to making such collaboration works for Cambodia’s economic development. Innovative projects and concepts and proposal for collaboration are presented by representatives from the industry and training institution.
Dr. Ros Soveacha, Independent Consultant, Dr. Seng Bunrith, Managing Director, RLS International , Mr. Neam Kopy, Founder and CEO, CES Co., Ltd, Mr. Allen Dodgson Tan, Director of Applied Technology, Golden West Humanitarian Foundation, and a representative from Centre Kram Ngoy. |
Session 5: Wrap up
Dr Chhem Rethy and His Excellency Yuok Ngoy, Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport delivered key closing remark acknowledged the effort and close collaboration from every party for making the success and fruitful annual forum. In light of celebration of the lively forum, the wrap up session highlighted the key roles of STEAM in developing nations and acknowledges findings which report that Cambodia is behind Myanmar and Vietnam and the lack of institutional coordination and funding to support S&T. In response to that, according to H.E Yuok Ngoy’s closing remark, the RGC initiated high profile national policies especially the Industrial Development Plan and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and its supporting coordination plan and agencies to help and support the RGC to successfully integrate into AEC.