In downtown Takmao town there’s a new, seven-floor building you can’t miss. With modern design, a prominent green colour and flashy mirrored glass on the front, the newly opened Pannakhmer Academy really stands out.

As Lift reporters, we like to find something new for our readers. Therefore, we went straight to this new school. When we arrived, we intended to go to the information room on our left, but a green playground with a lot of toys appeared right in front of us. On the playground floor, we saw a thick rug which looks like green grass that can guarantee children’s safety.

After a short conversation with a receptionist, we were allowed to have a quick interview with the Executive Director, Neang Bunthea. Sitting in his office, we were told that Pannakhmer Academy is a private school which provides many different kinds of programs. There is Kindergarten toGrade 12, Full day and Daycare Program, General English Progrem, MBA Program (USA), DBA/PhD Program (USA) and a Stock Exchange Course.

“In Kindergarten-Grade 12 Program, students study with teachers who have graduated in Pedagogy,” he explained, “Our school provides nutritious food, sleeping rooms and doctors for first aid in the Daycare Program.” He added that students who study in the Full day Program are able to benefit four main points: English, Chinese, Khmer and computer skills.

For the General English Program (K1-L15), teachers are native speakers from countries such as the USA, Canada and Britain. Students can also study with two teachers in the class, one Cambodian and one foreign, full or part-time in this program.

Students who pursue MBA and DBA/PhD programs are taught by teachers from Heritage of Southern California University (HSCU), which is based in the US. On this program, the teachers come to teach one session per week and the rest is studied online. The certificate of MBA and DBA/PhD Program are granted by HSCU.

Neang Bunthea also explained about the Stock Exchange Course and its advantages. In order that the Cambodian stock exchange can run smoothly, it needs competent human resources. This course allows students to understand about the stock market.

After we finished our interview, Neang Bunthea allowed us to go around the building. First, we saw around 15 children, ages seven or eight, sleeping peacefully covered by blankets. What  really surprised us is that they could sleep together in a room as if they were sleeping with their siblings in their own room. Beside this, we saw each room has an air conditioner, fans, and mirrored walls.

According to the Executive Director, the mirrors help the room stay bright and save electricity.

What we noticed first and found most interesting was the building’s green colour. “Green represents nature and the colour of our forest. Green is somehow a lovely colour,” Mr. Bunthea said.

We hope this new school is of interest to you and that our information can help you choose a place to study.