Cambodia and India are strengthening cooperation in media and information technology through a new capacity building programme designed to equip Cambodian officials with practical skills in emerging digital technologies. Under India’s Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation scheme, 15 officials from Cambodia’s Ministry of Information will attend a fully funded two week Certificate Course on New Age Media & IT in New Delhi from September 14 to 25, 2026.
Organised by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing in partnership with the Indian Institute of Creative Skills, the programme will expose Cambodian officials to digital content creation, visual effects, sound editing, WordPress, data journalism, digital media laws, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and fact checking. The programme also includes visits to Indian media organisations and newsrooms, creating opportunities for practical learning and professional exchange.
“Cambodia and India are expanding their cooperation in media and information technology through a specialised training programme for 15 Cambodian Ministry of Information officials. Fully funded by the Government of India, the two week programme in New Delhi will focus on emerging media technologies, digital communication, data journalism, digital media laws, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and fact checking. Beyond classroom training, participants will visit Indian media houses and newsrooms to gain practical experience and exchange knowledge. Cambodian officials are expected to bring these skills back to their professional work as the country’s media sector continues to adapt to rapid technological change. The programme also highlights the growing importance of responsible technology use, particularly in journalism, as Cambodia and India prepare to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations next year.”
Cambodia Sends 15 Officials for Advanced Media Training
The training programme is part of India’s broader capacity building support for Cambodia and is being delivered through the ITEC scheme. The Indian government is covering the full cost of the programme, giving Cambodian officials an opportunity to gain specialised knowledge without the financial burden of international training.
The 15 member delegation comes from different units within Cambodia’s Ministry of Information, including radio, television, the news agency, audiovisual services and the general secretariat. Bringing together officials from these different areas is particularly relevant as traditional media and digital platforms become increasingly interconnected.
Training Focuses on New Media and Digital Technology
The Certificate Course on New Age Media & IT will cover a wide range of technologies and professional skills relevant to the rapidly changing media environment. Participants will study digital content creation, visual effects, sound editing, WordPress and data journalism, alongside digital media laws and fact checking.
The programme will also introduce participants to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality. These areas are increasingly relevant to media production, storytelling and digital communication, making the training particularly significant for professionals working across television, radio, online news and audiovisual production.
The inclusion of fact checking and digital media laws also gives the programme a strong professional and ethical dimension. Developing technical skills alongside an understanding of responsible information management is important as media organisations face increasingly complex digital environments.
Practical Experience Will Complement Classroom Learning
The programme is not limited to formal training sessions. Cambodian participants will also have opportunities to visit Indian media houses and newsrooms, allowing them to observe professional practices and gain practical insights into how media organisations operate in a technologically advanced environment.
These newsroom visits can also provide opportunities for participants to exchange experiences with Indian media professionals. Such direct exposure may help Cambodian officials understand different approaches to digital production, newsroom operations and the use of emerging technologies in journalism.
For Cambodia’s media sector, the value of the programme therefore extends beyond individual professional development. Officials returning from the training can potentially apply their knowledge within their respective institutions and contribute to broader improvements in digital media capabilities.
India Highlights Capacity Building as a Bilateral Priority
Speaking at a send off programme at India House in Phnom Penh on September 9, Ambassador of India to Cambodia H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung described capacity building as an important pillar of cooperation between the two countries.
He encouraged the Cambodian participants to make full use of the opportunity, apply what they learn to their professional responsibilities and contribute to the further development of Cambodia’s media sector. The programme therefore forms part of a wider relationship in which professional training and knowledge exchange are being used to strengthen institutional capacity.
The timing is also significant because Cambodia and India are preparing to commemorate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year. The media and IT training adds a practical dimension to that longstanding relationship by focusing on skills that are increasingly important to modern public communication and information services.
Cambodia Emphasises Responsible Technology Use
Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra expressed appreciation to the Government of India and the Indian Embassy in Cambodia for their continued support for human resource development and capacity building within the Ministry of Information.
He said the programme would provide an important opportunity for Cambodian officials to strengthen their professional capabilities in new age media and information technology.
“This cooperation will be very important for us in terms of capacity building, especially relating to media, new age media and IT,” he said.
The minister also stressed the importance of using artificial intelligence responsibly and ethically in journalism. His message was that technology should support journalists and media professionals rather than remove human responsibility from the process of producing and distributing information.
That principle is particularly important as media organisations adopt increasingly sophisticated digital tools. Technology can improve production, research and communication, but professional judgement, accountability and ethical standards remain essential to maintaining public trust.
Digital Skills Are Becoming More Important for Cambodia’s Media Sector
The programme comes at a time when Cambodia’s media landscape is increasingly shaped by digital communication and emerging technologies. Skills in content production, data journalism, audiovisual production, digital platforms and fact checking are becoming relevant across a wide range of media operations.
For businesses and organisations outside the media industry, the development also highlights the broader importance of digital skills in Cambodia. Companies, institutions and entrepreneurs increasingly rely on digital communication to reach customers, share information and build their brands. A stronger pool of professionals with advanced technology and communication skills can therefore contribute to Cambodia’s wider digital economy.
The partnership between Cambodia and India demonstrates the potential value of international skills development programmes in supporting that transition. By combining technical training with practical exposure and professional exchange, the programme offers Cambodian officials an opportunity to develop capabilities that can be applied after they return home.
A Partnership Focused on Skills and the Future
Cambodia and India’s latest media and IT cooperation reflects a broader shift toward skills based partnerships that focus on practical human resource development. The participation of officials from radio, television, news, audiovisual services and other ministry units gives the programme relevance across Cambodia’s wider information sector.
The training in New Delhi will also provide an opportunity for Cambodian officials to learn from India’s media and technology environment while building professional connections. With Cambodia and India approaching 75 years of diplomatic relations, the initiative provides another example of cooperation moving beyond traditional diplomatic engagement into practical capacity building.
Conclusion
Cambodia and India are deepening their partnership in media and information technology through a specialised training programme that combines technical knowledge, practical newsroom exposure and professional exchange. For the 15 Cambodian officials taking part, the programme offers an opportunity to strengthen skills in areas ranging from digital content and data journalism to emerging technologies and fact checking.
The larger significance lies in what happens after the training. If participants successfully apply their new knowledge within Cambodia’s media institutions, the programme could contribute to stronger digital capabilities, improved professional practices and more responsible use of emerging technology. As Cambodia’s information sector continues to evolve, investing in skilled people and responsible technology use will remain essential to building a modern, credible and resilient media environment.
Source: AKP