Collaboration will deliver technology, services, and programs to bring innovative and holistic systemic 21st century pedagogy to advance teaching capacity and effectiveness
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, 25 November 2016 – Microsoft today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports Cambodia (MoEYS) that will see the deployment of an all-inclusive Microsoft Education Transformation Framework which aims to deliver innovative, holistic, 21st century pedagogy by transforming students’ learning experience through technology, programs and services.
Aligned with MoEYS’ Education vision 2020, the agreement covers three priorities: Build leader and educator capacity for digital transformation; support educators with curriculum and content to impart technology skills to students; and empower educational institutions to be effective and efficient through technology. Under the agreement, three programs will be piloted with selected schools in Phnom Penh between December 2016 to April 2017 in the following areas: Building educator capacity for transformation, model classroom, and teaching with technology.
Rena Chai, Marketing and Operations Lead, SEA New Markets, Microsoft said: “Today’s signing with the MoEYS is yet another affirmation of our continued partnership with the Cambodia government in technology and education and builds on the recent MoU with the Ministry of Commerce and the launch of the Microsoft Student Partners (MSP) program to develop technology skills among Cambodia’s youth. Our collaboration today with the MoEYS will help teachers and education leaders by providing them with the right tools and training needed to equip students with the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills needed in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.”
Supporting this vision will be a slew of Microsoft Education initiatives such as the Microsoft in Education resource and professional development for teachers; the Microsoft Innovative Educator Programme (MIE) for educators who are committed to effectively using technology in the classroom; and Microsoft Digital Literacy, an online educational program to introduce learners, who are new to technology, to the fundamentals of computing and technology.
Education, Youth and Sport Minister Hang Chuon Naron said: “In line with our Higher Education Vision 2020 and beyond, our ministry is working with Microsoft to develop technology skills, build teachers’ capabilities, and promote STEM education to provide students with an opportunity to access quality high education programs and develop the technical skills needed to contribute fully to national development and labour market needs.”
“We remain committed to empowering educators and students’ communities to achieve more. Technology has the power to help transform teaching and learning, expand the impact of education, the needs of communities and accelerate the growth potential of every young person here in Cambodia, “added Chai.
According to a recent Microsoft survey Driving Transformation in Education, the study revealed that the biggest factor needed to successfully transform teaching and learning experiences was educator skill sets – in particular, being trained to optimize technology in the classroom. In fact, 1 in 3 respondents believed that they are currently unable to equip students with the skill sets needed to succeed in the future workplace with their current school curriculum and ways of teaching.
Don Carlson, education lead, Microsoft Asia Pacific, said: “Technology cannot replace great teaching but it can make good teachers even better. As such, our approach in education is to work with educators, students, and school leaders on their journey to redefine learning and enable youth to successfully transition from education to employment. With high youth unemployment rates in the Asia Pacific region, we recognize this continues to be one of the main obstacles facing young people. As such, it is important for us to equip educators with the right tools, enable access to training and bridge the technological challenges which they are facing to drive transformation and learning efficiencies for impactful outcomes.”
In August 2016, Microsoft signed a MoU with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) to use trusted technology to grow the economy and improve trade and development. The landmark agreement covered technology training and education for the Microsoft Khmer Translator Hub, joint-education campaigns on cybersecurity and malware threats, support for the Cambodia ICT (information and communications technology) ecosystem and talent development.
Additionally, Microsoft worked with the Ministry of Education to launch the Microsoft Student Partners (MSP) program in partnership with local non-governmental organization STEM Cambodia to cultivate technology skills among youths by providing a platform to grow student communities focused on technology, access the latest technology tools and resources.
