The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications on June 2 launched Digital Talents, a new digital innovation competition for high school students.

Addressing the launch, Minister of Post and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth said the contest would ultimately be open to students across the Kingdom, but was initially being launched for students in Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Battambang, Kandal and Takeo.

“Digital Talents will promote the growth of outstanding human resources in Cambodia. It will encourage students to explore the world of digital solutions, and they will receive training from experts in the field,” he explained.

He added that the programme will allow the participants to access new skills and knowledge, and that this will eventually make its way into the general public’s pool of knowledge, in line with the government’s digital policy 2022-2035.

Students from Grade 10-12 are eligible to attend the 14-week programme. Applications will be accepted from June 2-19, and students in Phnom Penh and the above five provinces are encouraged to apply.

The competition judges explained that the participants will acquire extensive knowledge in the digital sector which will be extremely useful in the future.

The overall competition winner will receive a cash prize of $3,750 and a four-year scholarship to the American University of Phnom Penh. Second and third place winners will also receive four-year scholarships, as well as cash prizes of $2,500 and $1,250 respectively.

The remaining top 20 students will each be awarded a new computer and $500.