Higher education institutions (HEIs) play an important role in the development of the Kingdom’s human capital, a crucial factor in promoting the growth of the economy, said Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport spokesperson Ros Soveacha.

To promote tertiary education, Soveacha said the ministry has widely shared information of scholarship programmes. Announcements are shared via social media channels by the ministry’s Department of Cultural Relations and Scholarships, which cooperates closely with higher education institutions.

He said that national high school diploma examinations are one step in a student’s development, but should not be viewed as the end of studies.

“Learning must be seen as a lifelong process. Education should be a major part of the life goals of all young people,” he added.

Many HEIs in Cambodia have announced scholarships for students who passed the 2022 grade 12 exams. The University of Cambodia (UC), for one, is offering 1,500 scholarships – 1,000 for students pursuing Bachelor’s Degrees and 500 for associate degrees.

UC announced that the scholarships would be awarded following a general education and English exam. In order to be successful, applicants must score 75 per cent or above.

“The deadline for applications is January 29, with the examination scheduled for February 1,” said the ministry.

Phnom Penh International University (PPIU) will also provide full and partial scholarship to students for the coming academic year.

Chey Samnang, the rector of PPIU’s Faculty of Commerce and Economics, said the university will offer scholarships for five Bachelor’s Degree programmes – in management, finance and banking, accounting, hotel and tourism management, and international relations. Applications will close at the end of January.

“The offer is unconditional. All students will receive the scholarship, based on the results of their high school exams. A-grade students will receive 100 per cent of their tuition, B grades 50, C grades 30, and D and E 20,” he said.

Ban Thero, rector of the Cambodian Mekong University (CMU), said last week that the university will provide 100 per cent scholarships to 50 students, 70 per cent to 70 students, 60 per cent to 100 students and 50 per cent to 100 students. He said that to qualify for these scholarships, candidates must sit a January 15 exam.

“The university also offers scholarships by each specialisation,” he said, noting that 30 students from each major will have the opportunity to receive additional scholarships.

Minister of Post and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth announced recently that the ministry is offering scholarships to 500 students who are pursuing Bachelor’s Degree in digital technology at the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology, the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) and the American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP).

“Studying digital technology will help you stand out in the job market, and will ensure you can earn a competitive salary. You may even have the opportunity to run your own business – and you will be contributing to the promotion and development of the country,” he said.