MetFone’s ongoing efforts to promote world-class education in Cambodia drew applause at the Royal University of Phnom Penh on Thursday, as three students won the chance to compete in the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship in Orlando, Florida in August.

The three youths had the top scores among more than 5,000 participants in the competition that drew thousands of students from 33 universities and institutes nationwide. All entered the competition by taking the Microsoft Specialist Exam in at least one of three categories: Microsoft Word, Excel of PowerPoint. Those with the highest scores in each division won the chance to compete in the World Championship.

“Without MetFone this event would not be taking place again this year and we would not have won a medal last year,” explained Ms. Sokunthea Lay, managing director of IIG Education Cambodia, which organized the competition. She was referring to the medal won by Kong Divin last year in Dallas, Texas. He became the first Cambodian to win at the World Championship, receiving a silver medal in the PowerPoint division by earning a higher score of all but one of his competitors from 105 countries.

“This competition is enabling our young generation, our future leaders, to fulfill their potential,” Ms. Sokunthea told the hundreds of people gathered for the award ceremony at the Royal University’s Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center. MetFone’s has been a “staunch supporter” of the annual competition since it was launched three years ago, she said.

MetFone Vice General Director Nhong Dinthan said the competition provided more proof that Cambodian youths are eager to learn. “Year after year we see that the competition is expanding,” he said, pointing out that the silver medal won last year generated pride throughout Cambodia and encouraged more youths to join the competition this year.

“Cambodians, especially youths, are beginning to realize they have the ability to compete globally,” Mr. Nhong said, explaining that MetFone’s mission to help build the education system will ensure that the young generation has the skills and self-confidence to compete regionally and globally. MetFone’s educational initiatives include connecting schools to the Internet and granting scholarships to high school students.

Noting the rapid growth of the Cambodian economy and the emergence of a more highly skilled workforce, Mr. Nhong said Cambodia “is on a winning streak.” Ms. Lay agreed, pointing out that this year’s competition saw participants’ scores rise overall. “They are getting better every year,” she said. All 76 finalists are “winners.”

Graduate Eng Sok An, 22, won the Microsoft Office Word division. Last year he won in Excel. Noun Sinh – a 20-year-old freshman at Pannasatra University – won for his proficiency in Excel. The winner of the PowerPoint division – 16-year-old Kong Hero – is the younger brother of last year’s silver medalist in Dallas.

All three will fly to Disneyland for the World Championship from August 7 to 11. 

Contact for details:

Ms Ha Thu Huong

PR. Dept. – Viettel Cambodia PTE., Ltd

Address: Blvd Mao Tse Toung,Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Mobile: +855 882341911 - Email: huonght23@metfone.com.kh

Website: http://metfone.com.kh