IDP Global Alumni Convention 2019
In Case You Missed It: Thousands Participate in Cambodia’s Biggest Study Abroad Event
I’mACE Team
Over 2,500 students and young professionals take part in the 5th Global Alumni Convention (GAC) on 25th and 26th October, 2019 at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra hotel.
The Global Alumni Convention series was established in 2015 by IDP Education – a world leader in international education and student placement services. The GAC is now hosted annually as one of the most prestigious arenas for international education opportunities and business networking in Southeast Asia. The 5th GAC incorporated the Global Alumni Festival and Global Education & Career Expo.
The Official Opening Ceremony and Global Alumni Festival were held on Friday 25th October, and presided over by HE Youk Bunna, Secretary of State, Ministry of Civil Services and Director of the Royal School of Administration, HE Dr Sann Vathana, Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, HE Ambassador Angela Corcoran, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, and Mr Mao Sreng, IDP Education Country Director and GAC Convenor.
“The Convention offers a range of opportunities to help Cambodia address new and emerging challenges including through connections, spreading ideas and projects, taking on academic study or providing inspiration,” said Her Excellency Angela Corcoran.
The Festival gala dinner was the social highlight of the whole GAC, providing an opportunity to the hundreds of guests to network, build partnerships, and celebrate the contributions an international education can have at a personal, institutional, country and regional level.
As part of the GAC, the Global Education & Career Expo held on 26th October hosted more than 70 institutions from Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Singapore and Thailand, showcasing world-class study options to students and professionals considering further education overseas. Information on study programs, admission requirements, student visa processing, and scholarships, was available directly from college and university representatives, IDP study abroad counsellors, and scholarship providers, free of charge.
Mr Mao Sreng, IDP Education Country Director, said the 5th GAC was the ‘most comprehensive’ event to date to focus on study options and scholarship opportunities for Cambodian students.
The Expo also featured panel discussions and presentations by experts, successful alumni, scholarship providers, and leading figures from embassies and civil society. The panel discussions and presentations focused on student-related topics and the latest insights into skills development, career prospects and international education choices, to help students and parents better plan for their future education journey.
One parent who attended the Global Education & Carer Expo said, “I have attended many IDP education expos for information about study abroad options. Since I participate quite often, I managed to send one of my children to a university in the United States. My child is now in the third year of college.”
IDP Education has more than 100 offices in over 30 countries. In Cambodia, IDP Study Abroad offices are located within the five campuses at the Australian Centre for Education (ACE) in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Counselling and assistance with study applications are provided free of charge to students by IDP Education.
To take part in the 6th GAC to be held in 2020, and find out more about the GAC, please visit www.cambodiaga.org