Prince Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of Prince Holding Group ("Prince Group"), one of Cambodia's largest and fastest growing conglomerates, will sponsor Caring for Cambodia's Career Preparation programme for the upcoming academic year. Caring for Cambodia is a leading charity that provides free education to 7,000 impoverished students. The cooperation with Caring for Cambodia, announced on International Youth Day, demonstrates how Prince Group has embarked on a new path at a critical moment when youth unemployment is likely to rise as a result of Cambodia's deteriorating COVID-19 epidemic situation. Prince Group seeks to invest in Cambodia's future by empowering and validating an institutional approach to youth development through its support of the Career Preparation programme.
“We are pleased to partner with Prince Holding Group as we look to expand and enhance our Career Preparation program,” said Jamie Amelio, Founder and CEO of Caring for Cambodia. “In the new environment defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, high school and university students will need substantial support to help them secure a strong foundation for their futures. To achieve better educational outcomes, Caring for Cambodia believes that public-private partnerships involving potential employers like member companies of Prince Holding Group and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport will be key.” Since its inception in 2006, the Career Preparation programme has aided over 3,000 students each year by disseminating scholarship information, providing career-related training (such as enhancing their interview skills), offering internships, organising career fairs, arranging university visits, and introducing high school students to inspirational speakers from a variety of fields. The programme provides high school students with a post-graduate toolset that is critical, as Caring for Cambodia graduates are 18 times more likely to enrol in universities than the national average. “Prince Holding Group is excited to support a high-impact initiative like Caring for Cambodia’s Career Preparation program,” said Cliff Koh, Secretary-General of Prince Holding Group. “As a responsible Cambodian conglomerate that contributes to sustainable development via education, healthcare and community engagement initiatives, sponsoring Caring for Cambodia’s Career Preparation program will help Cambodian youth at an important juncture in their lives.” Additionally, the initiative assists Caring for Cambodia alumni who are now enrolled in institutions with their employment hunt. Caring for Cambodia-supported schools are among the few in the country that equip students with the necessary skills to qualify for jobs in high-growth industries such as telecommunications, logistics, and conservation. Prince Group has consistently supported education over the years, most recently bringing the art of Swiss watchmaking to Cambodia last year by establishing the country's first independent watchmaking school, which provides Cambodian youth with the opportunity to learn a new artisanal skill and gain the necessary experience to compete in local and international job markets. On behalf of member companies, the Group adheres to a well-established environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, with a particular emphasis on educational activities with a long-term impact. As part of a broader strategy, Prince Group Chairman Neak Oknha Chen Zhi (陳志公爵) responded to the Cambodian Government's plea for assistance in combating the February 20 COVID-19 outbreak by announcing plans to donate US$3 million to pandemic efforts. Cambodia Chen Zhi also donated US$3 million till the end of 2020 to assist Cambodia in purchasing COVID-19 vaccinations. Over the years, Prince Charitable Foundation has staged over 250 charitable events and contributed more than US$14 million in monies and other items to over 500,000 people. Prince Group will continue to support Cambodians from all walks of life and will take a holistic approach to education support in the Kingdom, working with best-in-class solution providers on a regular basis and pursuing high-impact initiatives that will ensure sustainable and durable success.
