Ven Sovannaroth, a fourth year student at the Department of Biological Engineering at the Royal University of Phnom Penh’s faculty of engineering, said that she has used technology as a tool to further her education ever since she was in high school. Her smart use of tech is one of the reasons she has excelled at her studies.
Sovannaroth was awarded a gold medal in the Honda Foundation Competition for Young Engineers and Scientists (Y-E-S) this year, placing in the top four of 30 contestants.
She studied at Dar Bun Rany Hun Sen High School in Memot district, Tbong Khmum province, and chose “True Science” as her course of study. She earned an A grade in the 2019 high school examination.
She said that technology had helped her to manage her studies, as it saved her time and money.
“I rely on the internet as I can use apps from school and watch YouTube videos – several of my teachers post a lot of videos. I can rewatch any of my lessons anywhere, at any time, and search for additional information. It also means I can organise my time so I am available to help my parents whenever they need me,” she added.
“Being able to manage my time in this way is great, because it means I can take time off when I really need to, without compromising my studies.
She successfully utilised her research skills to prepare for the Honda Foundation competition.
The Honda Y-E-S Award programme aims to foster future leaders of science and technology fields. This system grants awards to students who excel in science and technology and who aspire to higher academic achievement.
Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron said that advancements in technology are spurring changes in the education sector, with the ministry accelerating the introduction of technology into schools.
So far, at least 300 schools have been equipped with an online system that allows the ministry to monitor the progress of teachers and students.
“Using technology saves time. Teacher can prepare teaching materials in advance. This saves time during class, and allows the students to conduct their own research,” he said.
He added that having lessons prepared on line also eliminated the problem of late or absent students, which the ministry estimated cost 10 to 15 per cent of teaching time in a traditional classroom.
