After more than three years of closure due to budget constraints, Passerelles Numériques Cambodia (PNC) has officially reopened its System & Network Administration and Cybersecurity (SNA) major. The return of this program comes at a crucial time, as Cambodia’s digital economy continues to grow and the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals rises. More than just reopening a course, this marks a renewed commitment to equipping underprivileged youth with future-ready skills and real career opportunities.

For trainer Mesa Koeun, the decision to reopen the major is both timely and necessary. He has witnessed how quickly technology is transforming workplaces across the country. “Today, almost every organization depends on digital systems,” he explains. “But behind those systems, we need people who can maintain networks and protect them from cyber threats. Without these skills, digital transformation cannot move forward safely.”

Rather than focusing only on theory, the renewed SNA program emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world application. Students start with the basics of networking and operating systems, then gradually build their knowledge toward cybersecurity, cloud services, and system administration. They learn how to set up servers, manage networks, detect potential threats, and respond to incidents all through practical exercises designed to simulate real workplace situations.

For many students, the reopening of the SNA major represents a life-changing opportunity. Amin, a 20-year-old student from Tbong Khmum province, first learned about PNC during a school outreach visit. Coming from an ethnic minority Islamic community, Amin had always been interested in IT, but discovering cybersecurity sparked a deeper motivation.

“I was amazed when I heard about cybersecurity,” he shares. “It feels like protecting something important, and I believe this field has strong job opportunities in Cambodia.” However, his decision was not without concern. Amin recalls that his mother worried about whether he would be able to find a job after graduating from this specialized major. Despite this, he remained confident. “I trust the school,” he says. “PNC has helped many students before, and I believe it will open opportunities for me too.”

Amin also believes the field should welcome more women. From his point of view, girls often have the patience and attention to detail that this kind of work needs.

Another student, Sreyla, brings a different but equally inspiring perspective. At just 17 years old, she comes from Banteay Meanchey province and grew up in a challenging economic situation. Her parents had been migrant workers, and recent border tensions forced them to return home. Determined to support her family, Sreyla saw education as her path forward. “I hope that learning IT will help me support my parents and my younger siblings,” she says. Despite entering a male-dominated field, she views this as motivation rather than a barrier.

The reopening of the SNA major is more than just the return of a training program; it is a step toward building Cambodia’s next generation of digital professionals. Through practical learning, mentorship, and holistic support, students like Amin and Sreyla are gaining the skills and confidence needed to pursue meaningful careers.

As Cambodia continues its digital transformation, initiatives like this play a critical role in ensuring that no talented young person is left behind. With continued support from partners and donors, PNC can keep opening doors for underprivileged youth empowering them not only to secure employment, but also to contribute to a safer and more resilient digital future.

At just 17 years old, Chhitchhanut from Battambang Province has already experienced more struggle than most. Her family fell deep into debt, and constant arguments at home made it difficult for her to focus on school. “I often felt hopeless,” she recalls. “I didn’t think I could study further after high school. We had no money, and my grades were not good.”

Amid the struggles, she held onto a determination that her future could be different.

Her life began to change when she attended an information session by Passerelles Numériques Cambodia (PNC). Learning about the scholarship program opened a small window of hope. At first, she hesitated as she afraid it might be too good to be true. But when she discovered that several students from her own school had received the same scholarship and were now working in good jobs, both she and her family felt confident that PNC could offer her a brighter future. With that assurance, she applied and determined to give herself and her family a second chance.

At PNC, Chhitchhanut found herself in a completely different learning environment. She realized that her poor high school grades did not define her potential. “Here, I could start fresh,” she says. “The teachers supported me every step of the way, not just with technical lessons but with life skills and confidence-building. They taught us how to think, communicate, and prepare for the future that is not only for a job, but for life.”

Surrounded by support at PNC, she realized she was capable of much more than she had imagined.

For her family, the scholarship meant far more than education; it meant relief. Coming from a poor household where education was once seen as a financial burden, PNC’s full support eased their worries. “Now my parents no longer have to struggle to pay for my schooling or living expenses,” she says proudly. “They can focus on my younger siblings so they can continue their studies too.” Her family is deeply proud of her achievements  as she is the first in her family to pursue higher education, as all other family members had completed only up to Grade 11.

The transformation in Chhitchhanut’s life is a testament to the collaborative investment from the Skill Development Fund (SDF), PNC, and its network of dedicated supporters. Because of this collective commitment, Chhitchhanut and many students like her can focus entirely on their professional growth rather than financial hardship.

With her sights set on becoming a full-stack developer and interning at a top tech firm next year, her outlook has completely shifted. ‘This opportunity has lifted the weight off my family’s shoulders and given me a clear path forward,’ she says. ‘Now, I can see my future clearly.’

Over the past three years at PNV, Đức Quyền – an alumnus of the 2022-2025 cohort – has left his mark with passion and wholehearted dedication, from academics to extracurricular activities. To his friends, he is cheerful and kind-hearted; to juniors, he is the caring big brother; and in the eyes of teachers, he is the persistent student who never stops striving forward. For Quyền, every step along the bridge built by PNV throughout these transformative years has become a deeply cherished part of his journey.

Believing that nothing is impossible, and growing through every opportunity.

Whether facing challenges or embracing opportunities, Quyền chose to step forward without hesitation, grounded in a firm belief in his own potential. From his dedication to learning to actively engaging in a wide range of extracurricular activities at PNV, from leading as Student Association President to stepping beyond his comfort zone and moving to a new city for study and work – each experience was embraced with intention and determination, equipping him with essential skills and laying a strong foundation for his future.

Building my own bright bridges to the future.

Yet, this journey has never been an easy one. Like many other PNV students, Quyền once faced uncertainty, moments of self-doubt, and the instability that often comes with youth. But over time, that once hesitant freshman has grown stronger and more confident. Uncertainty has gradually given way to clear direction, concrete plans, and ever-expanding aspirations.

“Once I have a relatively stable job, I will continue my studies. I don’t want to stop at a college degree – I plan to pursue a university degree to gain a deeper understanding of my field. I hope I can pass on to my siblings a sense of motivation for learning and support them in going as far as they can in their education.

In the future, I will use what I’ve learned to achieve my dream: to build my own company and turn my childhood dream of becoming a startup CEO into reality.“

Today, those goals are gradually coming to life. Six months after graduation, Quyền is now working as a Software Engineer at CBTW – the very company where he once interned during his final year. No longer an intern, he now carries greater responsibilities and faces higher expectations. Yet, he has never shied away from challenges. Instead, Quyền continues to embrace each one with confidence, maintaining a strong learning mindset and proactively developing himself every day with the support of his colleagues.

With the invaluable foundation that PNV has given him, he is confident in his journey ahead – steadily moving forward and reaching for goals that once felt far beyond his grasp.

“The Diamond Bridge”

That’s how Quyền describes his 3-year journey with PNV: a bridge built from knowledge and compassion. Strong, precious, and protective, it has equipped him not only with knowledge and skills but also with invaluable life values. And this bridge is not for Quyền alone. For over 15 years, Passerelles Numériques Vietnam has empowered hundreds of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their dreams. Each success story, each step forward taken by students, stands as the most meaningful testament to PNV’s enduring mission: transforming lives through education.

From the very first days of arriving in an unfamiliar city to pursue a completely new field of study, many PNV students began their journeys with that same courage. And Kim Thảo, an alumna of the 2017-2020 cohort at Passerelles Numériques Vietnam, was no exception.

Coming from the mountainous province of Quảng Bình (before Vietnam’s provincial merger), Thảo once held a very simple wish when she chose to join PNV: after graduation, she hoped to earn around 5 million VND a month – enough to support herself and help her family. Traveling, exploring the world, or pursuing bigger experiences were things she had never really imagined for herself back then.

Three years passed with steady effort and close support from PNV, and new doors gradually opened. Her third-year internship in Ho Chi Minh City at KMS Technology became a turning point – the first time she lived fully independently and began to see a world far broader than she had known before.

The strong foundation of knowledge, skills, and encouragement she received at PNV nurtured the confidence and resilience she needed to keep exploring new experiences, both professionally and personally.

Today, Thảo has been working for over three years at EPAM Systems, where she continues learning from experienced colleagues in an international environment, steadily developing herself while building a stable life to support her family.

At the same time, she has discovered a passion for trekking and nature exploration – something she once never believed she would have the chance to experience. As she traveled more and met people from different cultures, Thảo realized:

Of course, growth is never a smooth road. There are moments of exhaustion and self-doubt, but with persistence and determination, circumstances no longer define one’s limits. Learning each day, moving step by step, and refusing to give up – that is how Thảo began, and how she continues moving forward.

And Thảo’s story is just one of many inspiring journeys like this at PNV.

For more than 15 years, Passerelles Numériques Vietnam has supported hundreds of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in pursuing education and personal growth. Through each generation and every achievement – big or small – one truth becomes clear: when given an opportunity and the courage to keep going, students gradually outgrow their own limits, becoming more confident and ready to embrace experiences they once thought were beyond reach.

2025 has been a truly meaningful year for Passerelles Numériques Vietnam. As we marked 15 years of presence in Vietnam, this milestone was shaped by remarkable moments, collective efforts, and impactful achievements born from dedication and perseverance. Like a bridge weathered by time, the rains of challenges only made PNV more resilient, interspersed with sunny seasons of success and countless new dawns that ignited hope for hundreds of underprivileged students.

Strengthening the Bridge: Nurturing Resilience and Growth

Throughout the 2025 selection journey, from 491 applications, 49 outstanding students from 7 provinces were carefully selected for the new cohort. Representing strong diversity, 63% come from ethnic minority backgrounds and 61% are female – bringing fresh energy and resilience to the PNV family.

As the newest members of the house, PNV28 have been steadily adapting, learning with dedication, and preparing to rise in the academic year ahead.

In 2025, 4,134 teaching periods were delivered, alongside 20 skill-building workshops and 4 company visits, ensuring students were well-equipped with both technical expertise and professional readiness. These learning opportunities became steady beams of light, guiding students forward through changing skies.

Beyond academic development, personal growth and emotional well-being remained a central priority. Through 340 individual follow-up meetings for more than 125 students, PNV provided tailored guidance and close mentorship, helping students stay strong and shine brightly, even under unpredictable weather.

Through Every Season: United in Strength, Marking Our Milestones

None of this journey would have been possible without a strong and compassionate network of supporters. With the dedication of 80 committed partners and 76 devoted volunteers, they strengthened every bridge we build – ensuring that no student ever walks alone, while supporting long-term learning, engagement, and growth.

As these collective efforts matured and strengthened over time, PNV’s impact gained wider recognition. In 2025, PNV achieved 2 high-profile media features and received 2 official certificates of recognition from government-related organizations, reaffirming our credibility and trusted position in the education landscape.

The year was beautifully crowned by the celebration of PNV’s 15th Anniversary, welcoming nearly 400 guests to honor a journey shaped by perseverance, partnership, and an unwavering belief in the power of education. More than a milestone, this moment reminded us that every weathered bridge our students cross is strengthened by steady hands and hearts that walk together.

Guiding young dreams toward a brighter future has never been a journey taken alone. It is made possible thanks to the invaluable companionship of our partners, the generous commitment of our volunteers, and the unwavering dedication of the entire PNV team. Once again, we extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has walked alongside PNV throughout this journey.

Throughout this journey, KMS has been present in every aspect of student development and growth. This enduring and holistic commitment has forged a strong bond between KMS and PNV, united by a greater mission: to open doors of opportunity, nurture people, and spread the values of sustainable education.

In 2025, KMS reaffirmed the long-term commitment to PNV with a sponsorship of USD 100,000, channeled through Sunstone Group – its authorized partner. This meaningful contribution has been fueling key initiatives, enabling students to learn, train, and thrive in the best possible environment – from academic programs and facilities to student welfare and career guidance.

Comprehensive Support Across All Dimensions

With the vision of empowering young people to grow holistically – not only excelling in technology but also becoming independent, confident, and responsible citizens – KMS has stood side by side with PNV in sustaining and enhancing the quality of training programs.

In 2025 alone, KMS’s support contributed to more than 832 lessons, equivalent to 20,800 hours of English training across three student cohorts, alongside numerous personal development and life-skills activities. These foundations are vital in preparing PNV students to step confidently into the professional workplace of the future.

Beyond academics, KMS has paid special attention to student well-being by supporting improvements in dormitory facilities, study equipment, and living conditions. These practical contributions have helped create a secure and supportive environment where students can focus on learning and personal growth.

Workshops, career-sharing sessions, and academic events co-organized with KMS have further opened valuable opportunities for students to engage with real-world business environments, gain deeper industry insights, and move closer to their dream of becoming future technology engineers.

To ensure these impacts remain sustainable, KMS has also strengthened the foundation behind the scenes – the dedicated staff who quietly stand by students every day throughout their educational journey.

A Long-Term Partnership for a More Equal and Sustainable Future in Education

Throughout this partnership, PNV and KMS have shared and resonated deeply with core values centered on people, education, and social impact.

The meaningful sponsorship in 2025 marks a special milestone, continuing a profound and enduring relationship – one built on trust, understanding, and a long-term commitment to the younger generation.

PNV extends heartfelt gratitude to KMS for the companionship with our students over the years. Thanks to this support, PNV’s mission of opening opportunities and building futures has never been a solitary journey. We firmly believe that a more equal and sustainable future in education will continue to be nurtured, as long as dedicated strategic partners like KMS remain by our side on the road ahead.

The digital olympiads are annual internal competitions where five groups of preparatory class students each take on challenges set by our partners. Not only they are a valuable opportunity for our youth to apply their knowledge, but also to showcase their impressive growth.

On August 29th, the grand final of the 2025 edition was held on the Passerelles Numériques Madagascar campus in Antananarivo, bringing together all PNM staff, the teachers who served as jury members, partner organizations, and several alumni from previous cohorts.

Five Teams, Five Challenges: They are ready to give it all

This year, five teams of ten students each (structured in sub-groups of 5 students from the Science, Technology & Digital and 5 students from the Literature, Communication & Digital), guided by an ideation coach, competed on projects assigned by random draw.

The five projects in question:

• MUS’ART: A project from the Museum of Art and Archaeology focusing on digitizing the Zafimaniry collection through an online platform.

• ECOGAMERS: A project from Malagasy Brand Communication aimed at promoting eco-friendly practices through a mobile game.

• INSEREOO: A challenge from Passerelles Numériques Madagasikara, designed to guide users toward digital careers through online tests.

• SEKURA: A challenge proposed by an association of lawyers, with the goal of creating an online reporting platform for gender-based violence.

• ZURA: An AI-powered chatbot project assigned by Medulla. The bot will provide solutions to clients’ IT issues and generate support tickets when needed.

They were as determined as ever and truly committed to bringing these ambitious projects to life. Together, our young talents demonstrated outstanding teamwork and delivered excellent results despite the time constraints and the recurring power outages in Antananarivo.

The Winners of the 2025 Edition

The Country Director of Passerelles Numériques Madagascar officially opened the ceremony with a welcome speech that was both motivating and impactful. This was followed by the introduction of the jury members and the ideation coaches. Each group of students then took turns presenting their working methodology, the concepts they adopted, and concluded with a lively and dynamic demonstration of the results of their hard work.

The juries’ evaluation was based on several criteria, including graphic design and visual identity, the concept, teamwork, presentation, compliance with the guidelines, and client satisfaction (the organization which assigned the project).

This year’s edition concluded with an award ceremony for the sub-groups of students that most impressed the jury:

• The award for Best Science, Technology & Digital sub-group went to the ZURA team, who stood out for the quality of their work and delivered a fully operational chatbot to Medulla.

• The award for Best Literature, Communication & Digital sub-group was given to the SEKURA team, who designed an excellent mock-up of the reporting platform and skillfully developed a communication strategy to raise awareness about gender-based violence.

• Finally, the Juries’ Special Award was presented to the Science, Technology & Digital sub-group of the MUS’ART team, who distinguished themselves both in the content and the delivery of their presentation.

A True Source of Pride for PN: Words from Our Training Manager

These Olympiads not only allowed our young talents to strengthen their ability to work in teams and manage projects, but also gave them a clearer insight into what awaits them in the professional world.

We are truly proud to witness their growth and to see what they are capable to achieve today. Events like this indeed allow us to measure the scope of our actions and to experience the real impact of our program.

Dear Students

The curtain falls on these Digital Olympiads, which will be remembered as a remarkable showcase of your talent in digital innovation and creative engineering. You demonstrated true algorithmic resilience despite the “bugs” of everyday life: power outages and Internet disruptions.

The grand finale was an exceptional moment, crowned with applause and congratulations from our guests from the museum and the association of lawyers, clear proof that your projects combined academic rigor with societal impact.

I would like to give special recognition to Nathan (Training Assistant), who brilliantly took on the role of master of ceremony, as well as to the winning teams with their flagship projects: ZURA, SEKURA, and MUS’ART, true use cases worthy of the best startups.

Finally, I encourage you to keep this momentum alive, to continue “hacking” obstacles, and to prepare with ambition for the great leap into university life, where countless challenges and disruptive projects await you. “

– Tsoavina, Training Manager –

These results could not have been achieved without the support of our dedicated partners: Mr Stephane and Medulla, Malagasy Brand Communication, Maître Rindra, Representatives of the Museum of Archaeology, Mrs. Heritiana, Mr. Miary, Mr. Toky and Mr. Serge.

Since March 2025, the selection team has conducted information sessions in sixteen high schools across five regions of Madagascar. As a result, the team has already reached over 2,000 high school seniors across the island.

From the region of Vakinakaratra to the far South of the Red Island, the team has mobilized efforts to reach as many final-year students as possible, whether in town or the most remote areas. The main objective is to inform students from all corners of the island about the IT training program of PNM, which is designed to empower and offer them a new perspective on their future.

With a special focus on underprivileged youth and women, PNM aims to challenge the status quo in Madagascar’s IT sector, where women currently represent just 18% of the workforce.

A new hope for vulnerable youth: Opening new perspective through IT education

Breaking the chains of poverty through IT education, this is the mission that Passerelles Numériques has embraced.

To achieve this, Passerelles Numériques Madagasikara conducts an annual selection of 50 young people from underprivileged families who have obtained their baccalaureate within the past two years. Each year, PNM select at least 25 women in order to ensure parity within every cohort. All these selected students then receive four years of free academic and financial support provided by the organization.

The curriculum is divided into two stages:

• A preparatory year at our campus in Antananarivo, designed to strengthen students’ foundational skills in languages and mathematics, while also introducing them to the basics of computer programming and digital communication.
  
• Three years at one of our partner universities, leading to a Bachelor’s degree. Students have the freedom to follow their passions and choose the field that inspires them most. With thoughtful guidance from our dedicated tutors, each learner is empowered to pursue a path that truly fits their profile and potential.

Sessions enriched by the testimonies of our beneficiaries

Far from being a one-sided presentation, these sessions are a real exchange between Passerelles Numériques Madagasikara and the students who are attending. Moreover, such exchanges serve as a meaningful gateway for students to understand our IT training program but also to gain a first-hand glimpse into the experience of being a PNM beneficiary. In most cases, one or two of our beneficiaries from previous cohorts come with the selection team to share their experiences within PNM and encourage students to pursue a career in the IT field.

Passerelles Numériques Madagasikara will equip you with the essential skills and foundational knowledge to help you shine.”

^{– Sanah – a PN student from 1st cohort during an information session in Andramasina}

Few days left to submit your application

The application period has been open since March and will close on July 6th, 2025. To apply, interested candidates must submit a completed form before the deadline.