UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

02/08/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 02/08/2024 08:10

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing Ceremony Between the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation and 20 enterprises to implement the Basic Education[...]

Phnom Penh, 8 February 2024: The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), represented by the Director General of Science, Technology & Innovation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 20 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to implement "Basic Education Equivalency Programme (BEEP)". BEEP is the flagship online education and skills development programme under Decent Employment for Youth in Cambodia programme (DEY) initiated by UNESCO in collaboration with the government in 2019.

The MoU aims to expand the reach of BEEP to youth employed in SMEs and enhance access to learning, reskilling, and upskilling opportunities for SME employees, through a mobile online learning modality. The flexible nature of BEEP enables SME employees to enroll and study at their convenience, accommodating the needs and schedules of those engaged in full-time employment. In the inception phase, 3 out of the 20 SMEs have already established new BEEP learning centres within their premises. The event was chaired by H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of the MISTI and attended by officials from MISTI, MoEYS, MLVT, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, SME representatives and private sector partners.

In August 2023, Cambodia unveiled the new Pentagonal Strategy - Phase 1, aimed at directing Cambodia to shift to an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050. Human resource development has been identified as the first strategic priority, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and skills development to ensure human resources that will drive Cambodia's socioeconomic development. BEEP has played a crucial role in providing Cambodian youth with education and skills enhancement opportunities. By offering mobile online learning, young individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds can access basic education equivalent to Grade 9, opening doors for further learning and better employment opportunities. Additionally, they acquire essential workplace skills through optional modules on ICT, entrepreneurship, and employability skills which enable them to participate in the workforce more productively and secure meaningful employment.

©MoISTI

This new partnership marks a pivotal moment in Cambodia's pursuit of inclusive education and skill development, fostering collaboration between MISTI, UNESCO, and private sector entities. On this occasion, H.E. Hem Vanndy expressed his appreciation to all the stakeholders who have supported human resource development in the SME sector, saying, "I hope that this public agreement is not the end of the project, but a starting point for our joint efforts in promoting the education of workers, employees, and apprentices in enterprises and enhancing productivity in enterprises and industry in our country."

Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia highlighted in his remarks that BEEP will enhance the relevance of its modules to better meet the growth needs of SMEs and their employees in this new partnership. "BEEP stands ready as an innovative and adaptable platform tailored to address the individualized learning needs of SME employees, all while bolstering the growth trajectory of SMEs through workforce skill enhancement and development."

As of today, BEEP has benefitted more than 2,300 young men and women in their pursuit of further education and decent employment. It is now operated in 31 BEEP learning centres across 17 provinces. This MoU is a testament to the collaboration between MISTI and UNESCO toward the nationwide rollout of BEEP, creating opportunities for individual growth while enhancing productivity across enterprises and industries in Cambodia. Recognizing SMEs as the key implementing partners who are pivotal to economic growth and employment creation, it is imperative to provide upskilling opportunities for their workforce. MISTI and UNESCO will continue to work on creating new BEEP learning centres in various enterprises, allowing more youth, workers, and employees to benefit from this programme and contribute to Cambodia's pursuit of inclusive education and skills development.

About Basic Education Equivalency Programme (BEEP)

©MoISTI

BEEP is part of the Decent Employment for Youth in Cambodia programme (DEY) with financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and contributions from the government and telecommunication operator Smart Axiata. As the flagship collaborative initiative between the MoEYS and the MLVT, the programme is launched by the two ministries and UNESCO to address the issue of high dropout rates at the lower secondary level in Cambodia. Upon completion of the programme, learners receive a certificate equivalent to Grade 9 accredited by the two ministries. The programme is currently in its expansion phase to achieve nationwide rollout and reach more Cambodian youth, including employees of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).


For further information, please contact:

  • Ms. TAING Chanreaksmey, Chief Officer, Department of STI Cooperation, MISTI

    Email: [email protected]; Tel: 070 284 742

  • Mr. LEAV Kimlay, Education Programme Officer, UNESCO

    Email: [email protected], Tel: 069 891 234

For more information about MISTI, click here