Thousands Attended the 4th Global Alumni Convention (GAC)
Over 2500 people attended the 4th Global Alumni Convention from 10-12 November 2018 at the Sofitel Phokeethra Phnom Penh.
The Global Alumni Convention series was established in 2015 by IDP Education (Cambodia), a world leader in international education and student placement services. The GAC is now hosted annually, and is one of the most prestigious arenas for international education opportunities and business networking in Cambodia.
The 4th GAC consisted of three components: the Global Education & Career Expo (free entry), the Global Education & Business Forum (free entry) and the Global Alumni Dinner (ticketed). Sponsors of the 4th GAC included Platinum Sponsors, Prince Bank and IELTS, Gold Sponsor, the Australian Centre for Education (ACE), and Silver Sponsors, Sathapana Bank and NERA Telecommunications.
On Saturday 10 November, the Official Opening Ceremony, as part of the Global Alumni Dinner, was presided over by HE Veng Sakhon, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, HE George Edgar, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia, Luke Arnold, Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, and Sreng Mao, Country Director, IDP Education (Cambodia) and GAC Convenor.
The Official Opening Ceremony of the 4th GAC, 10 November 2018
“The GAC is relevant because it provides an occasion for people to find out about opportunities to study in different parts of the world, and for people who have already had those opportunities to meet, share their experiences and network with each other”, said HE George Edgar, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia.
During the Official Opening Address of HE Veng Sakhon, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, he spoke about the GAC, saying, “Events like the Global Alumni Convention help support that effort in bringing together alumni and education institutions from around the globe, as well as students, parents and those interested in furthering their education, to learn more about education and career opportunities. I especially encourage more students to consider undertaking agriculture-related subjects, and to come back to help realise this potential for our country”.
The Global Alumni Dinner was the social highlight of the whole GAC. The dinner provided an opportunity to network, build partnerships, and celebrate the contributions an international education can have at a personal, institutional and country level.
As part of the GAC, the Global Education & Career Expo on 11-12 November at the Sofitel hosted over 53 institutions from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, the US, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain and Cambodia. These institutions showcased world-class study options to students and professionals considering furthering their education overseas. Information on study programs, admission requirements, student visa processes and scholarships was available directly from education representatives, IDP Education (Cambodia)’s study abroad counsellors, visa officers and scholarship providers.
Thousands of students attending the Global Education & Career Expo as part of the 4th GAC
Mao Sreng, Country Director, IDP Education (Cambodia), said the 4th GAC was the “most comprehensive” event to date with the three main components.
Bin Devin, Chief Business Officer, Prince Bank, said, “Education is the backbone underpinning the economy, and therefore, we make this a priority in our corporate social responsibility efforts”.
“IELTS is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the GAC for the fourth consecutive year”, said Neil Wilford, Senior Operations Manager, IELTS Cambodia. “By benchmarking their English language capacity with IELTS, students and young professionals can fast track their study and career options and aspirations”.
“Sathapana is happy to support the 4th GAC as a sponsor and with speakers. One of our CSR programs is sustaining education, so the GAC is consistent with one of our objectives. The GAC is a great platform for students, teachers, government officials and those working in the private sector to learn, understand, and share knowledge locally and internationally, especially through networking”, said Ky Somana, Head of Marketing & PR, Sathapana Bank, a GAC Silver Sponsor.
David Ng, Regional Presales Manager, NERA Telecommunications, said, “We are at the GAC because for the past year we have been focusing on the education sector”.
The Global Education & Business Forum was held concurrently with the Expo, and featured interactive panel discussions among policy makers, senior business executives, entrepreneurs, industry experts, and leaders from governments, embassies and civil society, totalling over 37 speakers. These high level panel discussions focused on themes including business, FinTech, education, career planning, STEM and studying abroad.
The Business Chamber Round Table panel discussion at the Global Education & Business Forum at the 4th GAC
The 4th GAC received strong support from over 18 business chambers and alumni associations. “We are pleased to see IDP continue to increase the scale of the Business Forum, and the fusion of education and career for future outcomes”, said Bretton G. Sciaroni, Chairman, International Business Chamber, Cambodia.
“I have always enjoyed attending the GAC. Amazing people, valuable opportunities and simply a wonderful experience!” said Oum Syvan, President, Chevening Alumni Association Cambodia.
To learn more about the GAC please go to: www.cambodiaga.org