Ten universities offering innovative accredited technopreneurship course through MoU with Smart and Impact Hub

Ten universities offering an innovative accredited technopreneurship course through MoU with Smart Axiata and Impact Hub

Smart Axiata and Impact Hub Phnom Penh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ten Cambodian universities to provide a course teaching global start-up techniques that are relevant to the Cambodian market.

The MoU ceremony was presided over by H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, H.E. Chea Vandeth, Minister of Posts and Telecommunication, Feiruz Ikhwan, Smart Axiata Acting CEO, Melanie Mossard, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation of Impact Hub Phnom Penh and rectors from the ten universities on Friday 17, 2021 as part of the program to encourage technopreneurship in Cambodia, in line with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s vision of developing the Kingdom’s Education and Information Communication Technology sector towards creating a Digital Cambodia.

The course, called SmartStart Unipreneur Learning Platform (ULP), is a fully accredited ‘blended’ learning program consisting of an in-person and online curriculum intended to equip university students with an entrepreneurial mindset and technical capabilities. The course material consists of global startup theories that have been adapted for applications in the Cambodian market and local entrepreneurial success stories.

With support from the Capacity Building and Research Development Fund, SmartStart ULP is being carried out in conjunction with the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology, University of Puthisastra, National University of Management, Royal University of Law and Economics, Build Bright University Phnom Penh and Build Bright University Siem Reap, the Royal University of Agriculture, Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia Battambang, Angkor University, Svay Rieng University and CamTech. Since it was piloted in 2019, the program saw around 750 students enrolling in the program.

“This is an excellent opportunity for many of today’s undergraduates. In line with Royal Government of Cambodia’s vision of creating a Digital Cambodia, we are confident that SmartStart ULP with the support of both Ministries will help lay the foundations of entrepreneurship and life skills that today’s students need to successfully enter the workforce – and make a difference in their companies, their communities and their country,” said Feiruz Ikhwan, Acting CEO of Smart Axiata. 

SmartStart ULP is the first local online learning program that introduces entrepreneurship through a blended learning approach. With a dedicated Learning Management System (LMS), students spend thirty hours in the classroom and fifteen hours working independently or studying online. The course is taught in Khmer and English and includes university partnerships as compulsory or elective courses.

“It has always been a great collaboration between Smart Axiata and Impact Hub Phnom Penh in developing technopreneur talents in Cambodia in the past 5 years and driving digital ecosystem. This time with such strong support from the ten universities that value technopreneurship as part of students’ development, I am really excited to see how the program will be embedded as part of their curriculum” said Melanie Mossard, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation of Impact Hub Phnom Penh.

“Additionally, we found it important to feature 15 local Cambodian entrepreneurs as the case studies to illustrate each of the modules in order to showcase local role models with which the student can identify themselves. With the videos, exercises, and visual materials in a blended learning approach, the students will be able to learn both theories and practical experience with their peers and instructors that benefits their careers in the future.  We believe that investing in developing an entrepreneurial mindset among Cambodian youth is crucial for the future of Cambodia. We need to grow a new generation of job creators of problems solvers and we hope that this platform will equip them for their future.” Melanie added.

Feiruz added “having an entrepreneurial mindset is a valuable life skill for anyone’s personal and professional development. We expect all students to benefit from SmartStart ULP, regardless of whether their ambition is to start their own business or work in a ‘blue chip’ corporation. We believe that the ULP will provide the training and skills that will help to form the next generation of Cambodian leaders .”

University students who participate in the course are expected to gain an in-depth understanding of entrepreneurship, develop their entrepreneurial mindset, and improve their employability and life skills.

“I truly believe the cooperation between the Royal University of Agriculture, Impact Hub Phnom Penh and Smart Axiata truly elevates the entrepreneurship education in Cambodia,” said Dr. Sok Kimchhin, Dean of Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development

Apart from joining the course, top students from the ten universities will be invited to join a stay-in Bootcamp for 3 days 2 nights to learn more about technopreneurship and work on their business ideas from universities to compete for an overseas trip and/or cash prize award at the end of their semester too.

For more information and updates on SmartStart Unipreneur Learning Platform, follow the Smart for Cambodia Facebook page at www.facebook.com/smartforcambodia or visit www.smartstart.com.kh