Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MISTI), in collaboration with UNIDO’s CAPFISH-CAPTURE Project, hosted a workshop on University-Industry Linkages (UIL) to enhance Cambodia’s innovation ecosystem and its contribution to industrial and economic growth.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the workshop focused on raising awareness of the benefits of the Triple Helix Model, fostering partnerships, and enhancing skills in research collaboration, technology transfer, and innovation management. MISTI stated in a news release that the event brought together policymakers, industry representatives, development partners, and members of academic and research institutions. The goal was to contribute insights towards developing a national UIL guideline, supporting Cambodia’s STI Roadmap 2030.
H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of MISTI, emphasized in his opening remarks the importance of aligning university research with industry needs to foster innovation and enhance educational quality
. He highlighted that such alignment creates valuable opportunities for students in Cambodia to acquire necessary skills for the job market and enables universities to produce research outcomes that address real-world challenges and directly benefit industries.
The Minister encouraged innovators to safeguard their research outcomes and discoveries by registering patents, underscoring the importance of intellectual property in fostering creativity and economic growth. By doing so, innovators can secure their contributions and inspire further advancements in their respective fields.
Through the CAPFISH-CAPTURE Project co-funded by the European Union (EU), UNIDO has launched the Food Technology, Research, and Innovation Platform (FTRIP). This initiative brings together higher education institutions, the food sector, and government bodies to meet industry demands with research-based, innovative solutions.
The European Union’s Head of Cooperation to Cambodia, Mr. Bryan Fornari, highlighted the EU’s role in prom
oting UIL as a driver of economic and social progress. He stated that UIL is essential for Cambodia’s innovation and competitiveness, ensuring that knowledge translates into market-driven solutions, creating economic opportunities, jobs, and enhanced competitiveness.
Mr. Sok Narin, UNIDO Cambodia Representative, reiterated UNIDO’s commitment to strengthening UIL for economic resilience. He noted that initiatives like FTRIP support Cambodia’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by enhancing productivity and competitiveness. Collaboration among academia, the food sector, and government entities has advanced fish processing techniques and product development for MSMEs.
Cambodia’s STI Roadmap 2030 has outlined a clear vision for the advancement of science and technology in the country. The roadmap highlights the crucial role of university-industry linkages as a foundation for innovation. By strengthening these connections, the government aims to accelerate innovation, promote research and development,
develop human resources based on industrial demands, and stimulate economic growth.