No-Interest Loans for Digital Tech Students
Chea Vandeth, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, spoke of the importance of the program on Nov. 23.
- By Ou Sokmean
- November 24, 2023 8:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – Students who pass the grade 12 Baccalaureate exam but can’t pay for tech courses may qualify for no-interest loans from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.
Exam results were announced over the last two days. Students with A, B and C grades may get loans to pursue degrees in digital technology at six prestigious universities via the Digital Skill Development Program.
Chea Vandeth, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, spoke of the importance of the program on Nov. 23.
“It not only provides students with no-interest loans, but also plays a role as a consultant for students. Most importantly, free accommodations will be provided to students from the provinces,” he said.
“In one year, we could provide up to 5,000 students with no-interest loans.
“The purpose of this initiative is not only to promote digital citizens. It will help students who could not pursue higher education due to their family situation to get the same opportunities as others,” he said.
Students after graduation from university will have to pay 20% of their salary when they earn $500 a month or more.
This would ensure the consistency and sustainability of the program for future generations, he said.
Six universities are ministry partners in the program.
These are the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology, Royal University of Phnom Penh, National University of Management, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, American University of Phnom Penh and Paragon International University.
The program was launched by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on Oct. 2. It aims to promote digital technology efficiency.
Vandeth believes it will help build digital citizens who are active in developing the digital economy and society. In addition, students will help Cambodia to become a high-income country by 2050.
This year, 98,460 students, 72.89 percent of candidates, passed the Bac II exam. There were 1,673 with A grades, 6964 with B grades, 18,308 with C, 34,246 with D and 37,269 with E.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.
