The first student association is a new venture which will allow students to develop extra curricular activities and to participate in a project giving them responsibility and bringing them together.
The end of 2015 at Passerelles numériques Cambodia (PNC) was marked by the election of the first student association, created with the aim of giving students the opportunity to become responsible, more autonomous, take initiatives and develop leadership skills.
Phalla Soeng, candidate (Class 2016), during the vote on Wednesday 16th December 2015.
Initiated by the Education team, the association will enjoy considerable autonomy since the elected students (the executive office) will be responsible for running it. This will be a major challenge for these young people who will have to contribute to the animation of student life outside school time and bring real dynamism to the establishment. They will also act as intermediaries between the education team and their peers. This will be an enriching experience from both a personal and a professional perspective since some of what they experience will be similar to what they will encounter in their first job.
Elise Durand, Education Manager, said:
“The creation of a student association is a first for Passerelles numériques Cambodia students. The aim of the project is to give them a new space, representative of the student community, in which to express themselves. Thanks to the association, they will be able to be stronger advocates for change and improvements to student life: “action by students for students.” We are also aiming to improve our students’ personal and interpersonal skills (independence, proactivity, leadership, etc.) through this project and thus to prepare them better for their adult lives.”
Has voted!
PN Cambodia lived in campaign mode for 10 days. Claire Lasserre, PNC intern, responsible for supporting the candidates with their campaigns, explained:
“The aim was to get the students to participate in the project by giving the campaign importance and encouraging them to vote, as well as to stand for election using a pretty thorough system. The 33 candidates created their own communication campaign: photos, slogans, posters, flyers and speeches. They all displayed creativity and imagination.”
With carefully selected photos and ambitious slogans, the students took the project very seriously. “Change our life to be stronger”, “Everything Is Not Easy To Get” and even “One team, one dream” were proclaimed on posters and flyers.
Sokoeun Loeun, first year candidate, declared:
“I am a pacifist, positive and patient person. Moreover, when I really believe in a project, I am very committed. You can be sure that your opinion will be considered very seriously. Capable of managing a team, I am not afraid of conflict.”
Sohour Theung, 2nd year student, said:
“I want to turn your dreams into reality. I am a good coordinator and communicator, but I’m also flexible and creative; I have empathy for people and I like to share. Your problems will be mine. I want to commit because we have a common dream, which is to improve our school.”
Finally, the 200 students and the PN Cambodia staff were able to vote in a pleasant atmosphere and with mutual respect. Below are the students who won the elections. Congratulations!
From left to right: Heng Loem (2017), Srey Tak Chan (2017), Phany Phorn (2016), Rith Nnel (2016), Chetra Po (2016).
It’s time to Club!
In order to liven up student life, the Education team and the association are encouraging others to create student clubs. All the clubs will be monitored by the student association, who will liaise with the Education team. Each club will have a leader whose mission will be to manage the club, propose activities and federate group members. Finally, students will be able to volunteer to join a club to develop its activities and most of all, enjoy it.
Should it be necessary, they will be supported by a mentor – a volunteer from the PN Cambodia staff – who will be able to answer students’ questions and help in setting up the club. But this assistance will be occasional, because the aim is to develop their spirit of initiative and autonomy, assets for their future professional lives. “Being a part of student life is a personal commitment of openness towards others, but also to oneself. Committing to an extra-curricular activity can provide a good balance between training and leisure time,” states Elise.
Below is the list of clubs:
- Music and singing club
- Theater club
- Computer maintenance club
- Newspaper club
- Solidarity club
For Passerelles numériques, the road to professional success is also through personal development, autonomy and ensuring each student is responsible. So, with this educational initiative, like many others, PN Cambodia provides students with a “Gateway for life”!