- Signed a UNESCO UNITWIN-Cambodia Data Science Joint Certification Program Agreement with 6 outstanding universities in Cambodia on August 4, 2023
- Cultivate convergence talents who can graft and utilize data science in various promising fields
Photo 1. President Dosoung Philip Choi in his welcoming speech
Handong Global University (President Dosoung Philip Choi) signed an agreement on 4 August 2023 with six leading Cambodian universities, launching the UNESCO UNITWIN-Cambodia Data Science Joint Certification Program at the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh. This initiative is part of the UNESCO UNITWIN program and is designed to raise a new generation of talented Cambodian students who can apply data science to various industrial and academic fields in an increasingly data-driven world.
The UNESCO UNITWIN Project Team from Handong Global University (HGU) has conducted entrepreneurship training in Cambodia since 2011. Even during the pandemic, the Team continued to run online training programs. A Data Science Pilot Program conducted earlier this year revealed an enormous demand for Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) education in Cambodia.
Following the astounding success of the pilot program, the inaugural UNITWIN-Cambodia Data Science Program was launched yesterday. From 7 to 11 August 2023, 120 students and professors will gather at the DK Meeting Center in Phnom Penh to undergo intensive training in data science. The program is taught by HGU professors, including: Prof. Jae-Sun Yi (School of Contents Convergence Design), Prof. Yun Seon Kim (School of Creative Convergence Education), Prof. Charmgil Hong (School of Computer Science & Electrical Engineering), Prof. Hyebong Choi (School of Global Entrepreneurship and ICT), Prof. Sungbae Jo (School of Computer Science & Electrical Engineering), and Prof. Dae shik Kim (School of Business and Economics).
Photo 2. Group Photo of Inaugural Ceremony of UNESCO UNITWIN-Cambodia Data Science Joint Certification Program
The Data Science Program is planned to be held twice a year (January and August). It will be divided into three levels (Standard, Intermediate, and Advanced) to nurture Cambodian students and professors. The UNESCO UNITWIN Project Team plans to expand the scope of the Program and conduct training for civil servants in data science-related government ministries.
The UNESCO UNITWIN-Cambodia Data Science Joint Certification Program was signed on 4 August 2023 between HGU and six Cambodian universities: Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE), National University of Management (NUM), Pannasastra University (PUC), Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC), and American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP).
About sixty people attended this Inaugural Ceremony, including H.E. Mr. Chea Vandeth (Minister of Posts and Telecommunications in Cambodia), H.E. Ms. Veasna Bunchhith (Secretary-General of National Commission for Women of Cambodia), and H.E. Mr. Jung-wook Park (Korean Ambassador to Cambodia). These dignitaries were joined by presidents, vice presidents, and university officials from the six universities.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Dosoung Phillip Choi (President of HGU) stated, “With the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the transition to the information-based society, the importance of quantitative thinking based on data is growing by the day not only in academia and industry, but also in the national governance. We must combine efforts to address the challenges arising within developing countries, by sharing ideas and information and institutional preparations to bridge the educational gap.”
He also emphasized that “Handong Global University will continue to plan and carry out innovative educational plans and programs to provide a higher education platform for cultivating high-tech experts and convergence talents.”
In his Keynote Address, H.E. Mr. Chea Vandeth (Minister of Posts and Telecommunications) emphasized the importance of nurturing future talent through the role of higher education in developing countries. He stated, “The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications in Cambodia has played a key role for ICT development in Cambodia ever since the announcement of the ‘Cambodia Digital Economy and Social Policy Framework 2021-2035.’ As the Minister of Post and Telecommunications, I am delighted to launch an educational program with technology and innovation in Cambodia.”
Ambassador Jung-wook Park (Korean Ambassador to Cambodia), stated in his congratulatory remarks, “I hope that those trained through this program will help Cambodia develop strategies and plans to strengthen infrastructure and technology using ICT, data science and AI technologies.”
Science and technology innovation is highlighted as an important tool for the advancement of developing countries under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order for developing countries to have the capacity to respond to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the UNESCO UNITWIN Project Team of HGU provides the necessary education to Cambodian university students and enhances the educational infrastructure in Cambodia
* UNESCO UNITWIN (UNITWIN, UNIversity, TWInning, and Networking) was established by UNESCO in 1992 for the purpose of reducing the knowledge gap and fostering self-reliance in developing countries by the educational method of supporting university and research institutions in developed countries through a network between developed and developing countries’ universities. In Korea, HGU was designated as the first UNITWIN host university in 2007.
* In addition to this, HGU is accelerating the promotion of internationalization through various ways. It was designated as the first OECD intern dispatch university in Korea (2008), recognized as the host university of the UN Academic Impact, and named as UN depository library operating university. Also, it was acknowledged as a host university for UN NGO meeting (2016) and opening of UNAI Ban Ki Moon Institute for Global Education was followed. (2019).
