The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) has concluded the first season of its Digital Talents program, a nationwide competition promoting digital literacy among Cambodian youth. The program featured 14 successful episodes and 6 finalists, with the winners announced at a grand event held at Rosewood Phnom Penh, Vattanac Capital Tower. The event was attended by Minister of Post and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth, senior officials from the Ministry of Youth, Education and Sport, students, and parents.
The champion of the show received a cash prize of 15,000,000 Riels ($3,600) and a laptop, as well as a four-year full-time undergraduate scholarship to the American University of Phnom Penh. The second and third-place winners also received cash prizes of 10,000,000 Riels ($2,400) and 5,000,000 Riels ($1,200) respectively, along with laptops and scholarships.
Digital Talents is a semi-reality competition show for high school students from 10th to 12th grade, aimed at promoting digital literacy and inspiring curiosity among young people. The program received over 1,000 applications from high school students across the country within two weeks of its launch.
The applicants went through a rigorous selection process, including judge auditions in different provinces, to narrow down the candidates for the national competition. Each week, contestants faced challenging tasks and exams to eliminate weaker candidates and advance to the next stage. The program’s goal was not only to find a champion but to enhance digital knowledge for all Cambodians.
Digital Talents attracted over 10 million viewers during its first season, introducing digital literacy concepts through exciting competitions. The show aimed to empower Cambodian youth with digital skills and aligns with the government’s vision of fostering a tech-savvy society.
The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, along with the Ministry of Youth, Education and Sport, partnered with sponsors like SMART, AMRET, V-ACTIVE, and co-sponsors HUAWEI to produce the program. The final episode was aired on the MPTC Facebook page.
The grand champion of the competition was 17-year-old Luy Kimchour, a grade 11 student from the Kent Ridge International School of Cambodia. Kimchour expressed his surprise at winning the award and credited the competition for helping him overcome his fear of public speaking. His dream is to become a professional engineer.
Along with Kimchour, other finalists received prizes such as laptops and cash rewards. The top 6 finalists were awarded a Bachelor of Digital Technology Scholarship and will have the opportunity to visit technology companies like Google, Amazon Web Services, and Meta in Singapore.
Minister Vandeth announced that the Ministry would ensure that all winning candidates receive their scholarships if they pass their high school exams with good grades. The program received a total of 1,012 applications from high school students across the nation, and the competition consisted of various stages focused on digital and technical skills, attitudes, personalities, intelligence, and performance.
Overall, the first season of Digital Talents was a success, showcasing the digital knowledge and skills of Cambodian students and promoting digital literacy among the youth and the public.
