BarCamp Phnom Penh, a technology conference at the University of Puthisastra, promises to attract industry professionals from ASEAN countries, the US, Germany and other countries around the world later this month, Be Chantra, lead organiser of the conference, says.

Be Chantra says BarCamp Phnom Penh is an international, innovative and open technology conference. It is designed for individuals, businesses and non-profit organisations to gather computer enthusiasts, internet users, technologists, entrepreneurs, digital journalists, web developers and netizens to share and study things in technology in an open environment.

“There are many diverse topics to be shared.” says Chea Vimean Bopha, the master of Ceremonies. “They include e-business,” she says.

This is the fifth time the annual event has taken place.

The objectives of this year’s conference are to encourage experienced people to share their knowledge and experience with university students and job-seekers in the IT and business sectors.

It aims to promote the technology industry in Cambodia and the entrepreneurship for tech start-ups and to inspire people to be aware of the importance of general knowledge and creating networking among students, IT specialists, developers, social media and entrepreneurs.

People can enjoy sitting and talking together, sharing and learning, engaging and connecting with one another, Tep Sovichet, a grade 12 student, has been attending this conference since 2010.

“It is really good for me because I can meet many people who have specialised in technology, talk with them and ask questions of them,” Sovichet says.

“I then share what I have learned about technology with other people.

“I meet lots of people, and this helps me to build a network of contacts.”

Eng Vannak, a staff member of Open Institute, first attended the conference in 2009.

He says that participating in this year’s conference, his fourth, could help him meet managers of technology companies, especially software creators, and to build broader networks.

BarCamp is an international event, and participation is free. Young people can learn lots of new things related to technology and this will help Cambodia’s technology industry to grow, according to Phoan Putheary, BarCamp‘s lead volunteer.

to contact the reporter on this story: Meas Chansatya at [email protected]