Heng Sour, Cambodia’s Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, recently lauded the Prince Horology Vocational Training Center in Phnom Penh, a pioneering institute dedicated to imparting the art of Swiss watchmaking techniques to Cambodian students. During a tour of the facility, Heng Sour commended the center’s fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, emphasizing its significance as a beacon of high-quality vocational training in Cambodia.
The Prince Horology Vocational Training Center is a visionary initiative funded by Chen Zhi, Chairman of the Prince Group, through the group’s philanthropic branch, the Prince Foundation. It holds the distinction of being the sole institute of its kind in Cambodia and the broader Asia-Pacific region, aspiring to ascend to the pinnacle of watchmaking education globally with its unique mantra, “Swiss Craftsmanship, Cambodian Made.”
Minister Heng Sour praised the center’s commitment to nurturing world-class skills within the country. He stated, “It’s inspiring to see Prince Group’s commitment to fostering world-class skills in the country.”
Gabriel Tan, Chief Communications Officer of Prince Holding Group, lauded the visit of Minister Heng Sour and Ky Sokkim, CEO of the Skills Development Fund (SDF), as an acknowledgment of their students’ dedication and their Chairman Chen Zhi’s visionary leadership. He noted that the center stands as a testament to vocational excellence and the elevation of Cambodia’s skilled workforce.
Ky Sokkim, CEO of the SDF, emphasized the value of specialized vocational training in Cambodia, aligning with the nation’s efforts to diversify towards higher-value production. He highlighted the center as a tangible embodiment of SDF’s vision to empower skilled professionals and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
The Skills Development Fund (SDF) project, under Ky Sokkim’s management, was initiated by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) in 2018 to explore innovative financing mechanisms for demand-driven and sustainable skills development. This endeavor aims to bolster Cambodia’s economy by enhancing skills development and diversifying industry skills towards higher-value production, ultimately creating better job opportunities and livelihoods for Cambodian citizens.
Chen Zhi, Chairman of Prince Holding Group, emphasized the watchmaking training center’s pivotal role in the group’s broader mission to enhance education in Cambodia through scholarship programs, thought-leadership training, and other corporate social responsibility initiatives. Prince Holding Group, one of Cambodia’s largest business conglomerates, spans over 100 companies encompassing real estate development, financial services, and consumer services.
The Prince Horology Vocational Training Center offers students access to Swiss-trained professionals with a collective experience of over 60 years in Swiss watchmaking and education. This includes expertise gained from renowned entities such as The Swatch Group, Richemont, and the globally esteemed Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program (WOSTEP). Cambodia’s journey into the world of Swiss watchmaking signifies not only a significant stride in vocational training but also a testament to the nation’s commitment to skill development and innovation.
Source: Khmer Times
