In the morning, 11 August 2020, at the MoEYS, HE Dr. Hang Chhuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and Dr. Pech Sokhem, CDRI executive director, signed an MOU on cooperation and partnership for education and youth sector policy research and development. The objectives of the collaboration are to support the efforts of MoEYS in pursuing inclusive and quality education for all by ensuring the accomplishment of the goals set out in the Education Strategic Plan 2019-2023, Cambodia’s Education 2030 Roadmap, National Policy for Youth Development and adaptation to the post COVID-19 “New Normal”.

Areas of cooperation include joint research to support informed policymaking, develop the research capacity of national and sub-national institutions, Collect and share relevant data and other primary and secondary data, Conduct impact assessments to examine the immediate and long-term effects of the Covid-19 outbreak, Co-host policy dialogues, training workshops and academic conferences and other high-profile and special events, Promote regular consultations, staff exchanges, and visits, Support data sharing for research conceptualization and analysis in compliance with relevant national Laws and other forms of dialogues, policy research, and capacity development activities.

The parties will use collaborative research, mutual learning, individual and institutional capacity building models to draw on and share expertise, knowledge, and skills within their organizations and strengthen evidence-based policy research capacity.