For Immediate Release
Press Release
Phnom Penh, May 10, 2024 – USAID’s Digital Workforce Development (DWD) project, which empowers Cambodian youth with skills, resources, and knowledge to succeed in the digital era, has been named as one of five recipients of the 2023 Digital Development Awards.
The five global awards announced on May 9, 2024 by the Technology Division in USAID’s Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub in Washington, D.C., were selected for leveraging digital technology to help countries and communities work toward sustainable growth and resilience.
“We are honored to see USAID’s DWD project receive this award, which recognizes its efforts in driving digital transformation in Cambodia,” USAID/Cambodia Mission Director Kerry Pelzman said. “This award underscores our commitment to advancing digital literacy and innovation to unlock Cambodia's full potential.”
DWD champions a multifaceted approach to equip Cambodian youth with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, paving the way for a technology-driven future. Implemented by the University of California, Berkeley, DWD leverages strategic partnerships with Cambodian higher education institutions, digital industry leaders like Amazon Web Services and Meta, and the private sector to advance ICT education and offer career guidance, skills development, and linkages to internships and job opportunities for Cambodian youth.
Linkages between higher education institutions and private sector employers help to cultivate a young, well-rounded, and skilled workforce, to better support Cambodia’s digital advancement. The DWD project's successes include training more than 226 faculty and university leaders, establishing five university-based career centers across the country, and formulating official relationships with 15 local and international companies. The successes reflect DWD’s collaborative approach to ensuring alignment with market demands and fostering sustainability.
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For more information:
USAID/Cambodia
Chanda Pen
Chief of Party, DWD
