The Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Advisory Board convened a strategic high-level meeting on Monday at the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) to assess progress and chart the future direction of Cambodia’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.
National Focus on Science, Technology and Innovation Development
Co-chaired by H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, and H.E. Prof. Chhem Kieth Rithy, Senior Minister and Chair of the National Council of Science, Technology and Innovation (NCSTI) Advisory Board, the meeting brought together 30 leading national experts. This included advisory board members and STI specialists across sectors, to evaluate the nation’s achievements and determine future priorities.
In his opening remarks, Minister Hem Vanndy emphasised the importance of engaging a diverse pool of experts. “As a country, we need more science experts, and today, we have gathered experts from various fields to join us in fostering progress in science, technology and innovation for our nation,” he stated.
Expert-Driven Advisory for National STI Policy
The NCSTI Advisory Board comprises 23 highly qualified members with advanced degrees in fields such as medicine, economics, education, and informatics. These experts play a critical role in advising STI policies and guiding institutional frameworks that shape Cambodia’s innovation landscape.
Prof. Chhem Kieth Rithy underscored the pivotal role of education and human capital in driving STI growth. “To shape Cambodia’s scientific landscape, it is important to develop human resources. Education should play a central role, with higher education institutions aligning their programs to meet the nation’s industrial aspirations,” he said.
He further recommended the establishment of a National Technology Transfer Centre to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering applied research and commercialization of innovations.
Key Milestones Reviewed
The meeting highlighted significant achievements, most notably the implementation of the Cambodia STI Roadmap 2030, a strategic framework that outlines national goals for innovation-led development.
Progress was also shared on other flagship initiatives including:
- National Research Agenda 2025 – advancing research aligned with national development priorities
- GO-SPIN Project – developing STI policy and data systems in collaboration with UNESCO
- Sector-Specific Technology Roadmaps – targeting areas such as education, health, agriculture, tourism, energy, and digital transformation
These initiatives collectively reflect Cambodia’s commitment to building a robust science and technology foundation that supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Promoting Scientists in Policymaking
Looking ahead, MISTI announced the launch of a new seminar series titled “The Scientists in Policy”, designed to empower Cambodian scientists to engage in policymaking processes. The series will build capacity among researchers and foster greater integration of evidence-based science in national decision-making.
Preparing for the 5th NCSTI Meeting
Insights and recommendations from this session will directly inform the agenda of the upcoming 5th National Council of STI Meeting, a key milestone in Cambodia’s efforts to embed science, technology and innovation in its national development strategy.
Driving Cambodia’s Global Competitiveness
With a renewed focus on human capital development, institutional collaboration, and policy innovation, Cambodia is positioning STI as a central pillar of its growth model. These efforts aim to enhance the country’s global competitiveness, industrial capacity, and resilience in an increasingly digital and knowledge-based economy.
