The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), responsible for managing Japan's grant aid and providing technical cooperation and concessional loans to developing nations, is collaborating with Cambodian universities to advance engineering education in the country. A meeting on this matter took place at the Cambodia Institute of Technology, attended by JICA teams, representatives from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Cambodia Institute of Technology, Battambang National University, Svay Rieng University, and Dr. Om Romny, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports. Previously, JICA had entered an agreement with the Institute of Technology of Cambodia to enhance engineering education and research for industrial development.
In alignment with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, JICA has supported various projects to address the priorities of the country's Teacher Education Reform. As part of a Grant Aid (GA) initiative, JICA is enhancing facilities and equipment at both the recently inaugurated Teacher Education College (TEC) in Phnom Penh and its counterpart in Battambang. JICA, in partnership with the Cambodian-Japan Cooperation Center (CJCC), BanhJi FinTech, and Nuppun Research and Consulting, has executed the "Financial Capacity Development for SMEs Survival and Market Development amid the Covid-19 Pandemic" program.
The initiative aims to ease SMEs' financial access and includes surveys on financing demand and supply in Phnom Penh, Battambang, and Banteay Meanchey provinces. Additionally, it involves pilot training sessions for SMEs to enhance their capabilities and boost access to financing from MFIs. Within the program, 30 SMEs underwent training and guidance in utilizing Fintech software, data migration, and maintaining financial records. Among these SMEs, 13 received assistance in preparing financial reports.
