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 that this sector should welcome more women. In his view, careers in cybersecurity and network administration would benefit from being more open and accessible to young women, who fully belong in this rapidly evolving field.

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.