Cambodia Urges Youth to Leverage Science, Tech for Value-Added Products, New Economic Opportunities

Kae Key, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, urged Cambodian youth and students to utilize science and technology to develop value-added products, thereby creating new economic opportunities. This call aims to enhance the value of agricultural products, increase farmers' incomes, and stimulate economic growth. Secretary of State Kae Key stated, "Research findings should not end on paper or in laboratories. We must strive to translate research outcomes into practical applications, creating new products, new technologies, new businesses, jobs, and added value for the national economy. Especially in the agricultural sector, Cambodia possesses numerous domestic resources and raw materials with significant potential." In this context, the 2026 "Golden Palm Award," themed "Innovative Probiotic Beverage Development from Local Raw Materials in Cambodia," serves as a prime example of the synergy between research, innovation, local ingredients, and new product development. The Secretary of State expressed hope that these research achievements will not only receive recognition and awards but also secure further support to evolve into practical and beneficial products or solutions for the citizens and the national economy. He further pointed out that in the current context of socio-economic development, science, technology, research, and innovation are becoming crucial factors in determining a nation's competitiveness and sustainable development. Countries that invest in research and human resources possess the capacity to generate new knowledge, technologies, products, and solutions to address societal challenges. For Cambodia, promoting research and innovation is increasingly vital as it helps shift from utilizing external knowledge and technology to creating and developing indigenous knowledge and solutions. Therefore, creating opportunities for youth and students to participate in research is an investment in the nation's future, he emphasized. The "Kinal Award" program, since 2013, has seen over 2,443 participants (468 teams), with 39 teams (183 individuals) receiving awards. Meanwhile, the "Golden Palm Award," since 2018, has attracted over 1,136 participants (181 teams), with 24 teams (144 individuals) from 11 higher education institutions being honored. Secretary of State Kae Key affirmed that these achievements are commendable and demonstrate that Cambodian youth possess the capability, creativity, and willingness to contribute to solving societal problems. He encouraged the awardees, stating that their awards are not the endpoint of their research journey but the beginning of a new one. He urged them to continue developing their ideas, pursuing research, learning, and especially, seeking ways for their work to serve society more broadly. Oknha Dr. Hay Ly-Eang, Chairman of the Kinal Foundation and CEO of PPM Pharmaceutical and Confiwell Company, remarked, "Every year, the Kinal Award and Golden Palm Award programs prove that Cambodian youth have sufficient potential to transform our ancestral heritage into practical solutions for food security, health support, and the rural development of Cambodia." Oknha Dr. Hay Ly-Eang added that these two programs have become catalysts in encouraging and inspiring the younger generation to engage in research, foster innovation, and contribute to the development of Cambodia's agricultural processing sector, add value to rural produce, and participate in improving public health.