Smart Axiata Awards University Scholarships to 10 Top Students

After receiving hundreds of applications from high school graduates nationwide, Smart Axiata and the MoEYS formed a panel, including an independent member from the education sector, to select the most deserving candidates, who will now be able to attend a Cambodian public university of their choice as part of the new SmartEdu Program. All students who scored at least a B on their Grade 12 exam were eligible to apply for the scholarship, which specifically aims at helping less privileged students to achieve their dream of attending university.

The SmartEdu Scholarship 2016 winners following the two days of final short listing are as follows:

1. Ms. Luy Lysieng, Siem Reap
2. Ms. Norng Sovanmanech, Battambang,
3. Mr. Von Oudom, Sihanouk Ville
4. Ms. Hean Mayleang, Phnom Penh
5. Mr. Sok Phanith, Prey Veng
6. Mr. Chea Chet, Siem Reap
7. Mr. Chao Sien, Battambang
8. Mr. Hun Navit, Kampong Chhnang
9. Mr. Suy Kosal, Battambang
10. Mr.Yan Buntheb, Kampot

During the interview process last week, Hun Navit, 18, a student of Hun Sen Rolea P’ear High School in Kampong Chhnang Province who scored an A on his exam, said he was so excited to be in the running for such a massive award. “I come from a big family in the province. We are not a wealthy family and I had to work very hard to finally get here. I’m very excited to be here and I hope I will be selectedso I can continue my tertiary education and get a good job to support my family,” he said.

Over the next two years, 20 more SmartEdu scholarships will be handed out to top students, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding agreed upon between Smart and MoEYS in August this year.

Thomas Hundt, Chief Executive Office of Cambodia’s leading mobile telecommunications provider said: “The SmartEdu Scholarship Program is a crucial component of Smart’s CSR education initiatives. We want to make positive impact on Cambodia’s younger generation and to give them the tools to influence the future of the nation. We at Smart are honored to be able to support these students as they move on to the next level of their education. Through their schoolwork they have demonstrated their exemplary skills and their dedication to making the best of their educational experiences, we hope this scholarship will spur their motivation to achieve greater heights”, he added.

His Excellency Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, was equally excited for the 1^st ten winners of the scholarship program.

“There are many high school students who wish to pursue higher education but don’t have the financial means. MoEYS is always pleased when companies like Smart Axiata take the initiative to provide motivated high school students with this excellent opportunity through a generous scholarship that will allow them to achieve their goals and dreams. I would like to thank Smart for making their dreams come true. I wish the 10 winners all the success in their future studies and hope they will use this opportunity to be future experts in their fields of study”, said His Excellency.

Beyond Smart’s core business, Education is defined as one of the three pillars of Smart’s CSR agenda, aiming to trigger positive change and to empower Cambodians to help their communities and families be more sustainable. Smart runs many programs designed to empower youth with basic education and literacy; to expedite the proliferation of digital literacy and ICT; to promote continuous education and to support national culture awareness. Some of Smart’s key education-related CSR activities include the award winning National Literacy Campaign in partnership with Smart’s long-term partner UNESCO, the Mobile Library and Factory in partnership with Sipar and the sponsorship of the construction of a dormitory for the National Institute of Posts, Telecoms and ICT. Smart is also gearing up its involvement in digital innovation and technopreneur initiatives as it increases its participation in the digital startup space.

For more information on and updates from Smart Axiata, please follow Smart’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/SmartAxiata or visit www.smart.com.kh.

About Smart

Smart Axiata Co., Ltd., a leading mobile telecommunications company of Cambodia, serves currently over 8million subscribers under the ‘Smart’ brand. Smart Axiata is part of Axiata Group Berhad, one of the largest telecommunications groups in Asia with over 290 million customers.

In January 2014, Smart launched its 4G LTE network and became the first and only mobile operator in Cambodia to provide true 4G services. 4G LTE powered by Smart, the fastest mobile Internet in Cambodia, is now available in 25 key provincial capitals as well as other key provincial cities. Smart also provides 2G, 2.5G, 3G and 3.75G mobile services, supporting the very latest in multimedia and mobile Internet services as well as international roaming across more than 190 countries. Its extensive nationwide network coverage now covers more than 98% of the Cambodian population.

Through its partnership with Apple, Smart is the one and only telecom operator partner of Apple in Cambodia being able to offer iPhone’s and iPad’s. Smart moreover is the exclusive partner of Universal Music in Cambodia. Being a strong advocate of digital innovation, Smart has launched various ranges of value added services and digital services such as SmartLuy, Smart Life Insurance, SmartPay and Smart Music.

Smart Axiata was recognized as Asia Pacific Emerging Market Telecom Service Provider of the Year 2015 by Frost & Sullivan. In the same year, Smart Axiata was also awarded as the Best Telecommunications Company Cambodia 2015 and Best CSR Company Cambodia 2015 by Global Banking & Finance Review.

The company’s workforce consists of more than 1000 people including local and foreign experts. Smart is committed to its customers, employees and the people of Cambodia in delivering its promise of improving their lives. “Live. Life. Be Smart.”