Education minister Hang Chuon Naron stands alongside EU ambassador Igor Driesmans during the launch of the ‘Twinning’” project, the first of its kind in Asia. EUD Cambodia
Cambodia has become the first country in Asia to benefit from a transformative European Union (EU) initiative aimed at reforming technical education.
The new programme, known as the “Twinning” project, will bring European-inspired reforms to Cambodia’s upper-secondary technical education, strengthening the nation’s workforce and aligning it with international standards.
The announcement was made during a policy-level discussion led by Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport Hang Chuon Naron, alongside EU ambassador to Cambodia Igor Driesmans.
The event, held in Siem Reap on December 9, was attended by a delegation of around 40 officials and experts from both Cambodia and the EU.
“The Twinning project, set to run for 36 months until August 2027, will pilot reforms in five General and Technical High Schools (GTHSs) and two universities across Cambodia,” according to EUD Cambodia.
The focus of the reforms will be on enhancing employability, promoting gender inclusivity and preparing students to support the Kingdom’s sustainable economic growth.
“This Twinning is a significant step forward for the EU’s commitment to supporting Cambodian education reforms,” said Driesmans.
“The focus is on the needs of the private sector, especially those identified by European companies, so they can invest more in Cambodia,” he explained.
Hang Chuon Naron takes a selfie with ambassador Driesmans and various technical educators during the launch function on December 9. Chuon Naron, via FB
The reforms aim to better prepare students for the evolving demands of foreign investors, particularly as Cambodia seeks to position itself as an attractive destination for international businesses.
Through the project, Cambodian students will gain the skills necessary to meet the needs of industries that rely on technical expertise and highly skilled workers.
The initiative will draw heavily on the expertise of European countries renowned for their successful public-private partnerships in technical education, such as Finland, France and Germany.
Cambodian officials will travel to Europe for study visits, where they will observe and learn from best practices in areas such as work-based learning, curriculum development and teacher training for technical education.
“This collaboration will allow us to align our education system with the standards of countries with strong public-private partnerships in technical education such as Finland, France and Germany,” Chuon Naron noted.
“It will help better prepare our students for the needs of foreign investment and increase their employability,” he added.
One of the key pillars of the Twinning project is its emphasis on aligning technical education with industry requirements.
The Cambodian education system will adapt its curriculum to ensure that students are equipped with the practical skills and knowledge that employers need, especially in sectors critical to the country’s economic development.
In addition, the reforms will address the underrepresentation of women in technical fields, working towards greater gender inclusivity in Cambodia’s education system.
By encouraging more women to pursue careers in technical industries, the project aims to expand opportunities for all students, regardless of gender.
The Twinning project is part of a broader strategy to foster long-term economic development in Cambodia.
It is aligned with the country’s 2050 vision, which aims to position Cambodia as a high-income, industrialised nation with a strong and skilled workforce.
The minister expressed his gratitude for the EU’s ongoing support of Cambodia’s education reforms, noting the successful implementation of previous projects, such as the EU-Cambodia Education Partnership, launched in March 2024.
This initiative focuses on training intermediate to advanced technicians for green and digital jobs, key to achieving Cambodia’s industrial and economic goals.
The Twinning project, however, marks a particularly significant milestone. It builds on the foundations laid by previous EU-supported reforms and positions Cambodia at the forefront of educational innovation in Asia.
“On behalf of the education ministry, I would like to express our deep appreciation to the EU for their ongoing contribution to Cambodia’s development, especially in the education sector,” said Naron.
“This collaboration is an important step towards achieving the Cambodia 2050 Vision, and we are excited about the potential it holds for the future of our students and workforce,” he continued.
