PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Social Affairs sent four students with physical disabilities to the United Arab Emirates last week to compete in the Global Information Technology Competition (GITC). While there, the students (aged 15-22) competed in categories like content creation, life planning, and smart car design. They returned yesterday with top accolades from the competition, showing their talents and perseverance in the face of adversity, making Cambodia proud.

The GITC started in South Korea in 1992 to strengthen ICT capabilities of youth with disabilities, establish the foundation for social advancement and to increase awareness of digital accessibility for all. Fifteen-year-old Seerano Jonhpov from Preah Sisowath High School won first prize in the individual eLifeMap event, wherein students use advanced research skills to respond to specific situations on social issues or data verification. “I am very proud to be a Cambodian and bring a gold medal to my country,” he said. He also won third prize along with his teammates Mithona Yen (19), Visal Bo (22), and Sienghay Some (16) in the eContent category which evaluates skills for creating and editing video clips.

Deputy Secretary-General of the Disability Action Council, Ung Sambath, led the group to the competition and noted that this is the second time Cambodia has won in the GITC, with the first win being in 2014. He said the victory shows Cambodia’s progress in the disability sector.

“Proudly, while some big countries did not get medals, while our country is smaller than, for example, China, who participated but did not get a medal. Pakistan participated, but did not get the medal. It is a matter of pride for our Cambodian youth that competing against the 18 countries who went, we won so many medals,” he said.

The competition ran from October 23-29 with 536 participants from 18 countries including much of Southeast Asia, Mongolia, Ethiopia and Pakistan. Participants could compete in six categories that demonstrate their skills and creativity using technology. The UAE hosted 95 live matches, while an additional 366 were held online. Nineteen Cambodian students also competed in the online competition.

Minister of Social Affairs Chea Somethy warmly welcomed the winners at the Phnom Penh International Airport October 29 along with his wife and fellow dignitaries from the Ministry and the Disability Action Council. They congratulated the winners on another historic honor for Cambodia and for the individuals and their families.