Phnom Penh, 30 May 2024: ERIA and the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation on digital innovation and sustainable economic development in Southeast Asia.

The event began with opening remarks from Professor PO Kimtho, Director General of ITC, who hailed the cooperation as a significant milestone for ITC, enhancing the university’s visibility in the international academic and research community. Representing ERIA, Koji Hachiyama, ERIA’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasised that the MoU signing is a crucial step towards establishing the ASEAN Technology University Network, with ITC’s involvement being essential for advancing digital innovation and a sustainable economy in Southeast Asia.

Professor Kimtho signed the MoU on behalf of ITC, while Hachiyama signed on behalf of ERIA. Under the MoU, both parties will collaborate through the ERIA Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC) as the platform. The cooperation encompasses joint research activities, the promotion of new human resource development methods for the digital era, joint workshops and dialogues, and project-specific collaborations.

Following the MoU signing, a short roundtable discussion focused on human resources development in the digital era. Dr Rashesh Shresta, an economist at ERIA, highlighted the importance of aligning the education system with business sector needs. From ITC, Lay Heng, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, detailed several digital innovation projects undertaken by ITC to support human resources development in ASEAN.

The event concluded with closing remarks from both institutions. Daisuke Nakayama, ERIA’s Chief Manager of E-DISC, stated that the cooperation would enable ITC to expand its research network and contribute to regional digital integration efforts. Dr Bun Long, Deputy Director General of ITC, expressed his excitement and support for the collaboration, noting that it would lead to positive changes in digital innovation growth in the region.