PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Prince Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Prince Holding Group, celebrated the selection of 100 Cambodian students for Batch 4 of the Chen Zhi Scholarship at a ceremony held at Prince Holding Group Headquarters. His Excellency Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, attended as guest of honor alongside guests from the education and private sectors.
Launched by Neak Oknha Chen Zhi, chairman of Prince Holding Group, the full scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly stipend, and opportunities for internships and employment at leading Cambodian universities. The 100 scholars were chosen following a competitive selection process from over 2,500 applicants and will pursue a range of academic and career pathways.
During the ceremony, Dr. Hang Chuon Naron commended Prince Foundation for its role in advancing education in Cambodia, noting that public-private partnerships are vital for nurturing young talent.
“Education is a powerful tool for national development, and programs like the Chen Zhi Scholarship are essential to shaping Cambodia’s future,” he said. “We appreciate Prince Foundation’s commitment to helping young Cambodians reach their academic and professional goals.”
Gabriel Tan, Head of Prince Foundation, thanked public and private sector partners for their collaboration in supporting education across the country.
“We are pleased to support 100 outstanding Cambodian students on their path to success,” Tan said. “Education is key to building a thriving society, and we remain dedicated to fostering the next generation of leaders who will contribute to Cambodia’s progress. We thank the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport for its support and guidance in making this program possible.”
Current Chen Zhi Scholar Sithea Villarose, a third-year undergraduate who studies International Business Management at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said the scholarship has offered more than financial support.
“These opportunities have allowed me to gain practical experience and prepare for real-world challenges,” she said. “I’m grateful to Prince Foundation for its dedication to students’ success.”
Government and university representatives, including H.E. Mak Ngoy, Director General of Higher Education; Kong Phoumka, Director of the Higher Education Department; Dr. Seng Bunthoeun, Vice Rector of the National University of Management; Kean Tak, Vice Rector of the Royal University of Phnom Penh; and Soy Ty, Deputy Director of the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, attended the event. Their presence underscored ongoing collaboration between the private sector and academia to strengthen Cambodia’s future workforce.
Since its inception in 2021, the Chen Zhi Scholarship has benefitted numerous high-achieving Cambodian students who have gone on to contribute in a range of fields. The initiative aligns with Prince Foundation’s broader goal to invest in human capital development and strengthen Cambodia’s socio-economic growth.
About Chen Zhi Scholarship
Chen Zhi Scholarship program is an annual scholarship program led by philanthropist Neak Oknha Chen Zhi, Chairman of Prince Holding Group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), for benefitting 400 Cambodian university students over a seven-year period.
Since its inception, the Chen Zhi Scholarship has offered transformative prospects to numerous Cambodian students, enabling them to pursue academic aspirations and make meaningful contributions to Cambodia’s progress.
About Prince Foundation
Prince Foundation, founded in 2015, is one of Cambodia’s leading philanthropic foundations. A member of Prince Holding Group, which is one of the largest business groups in Cambodia, the Foundation aims to work with local communities to build thriving living and working environments that elevate people’s well-being and livelihoods, following the vision: “Together, Building a Better Future for Cambodia.”
Focusing on education and youth development, healthcare, and community engagement and sports, and healthcare initiatives, Prince Foundation works with partners to deliver sustainable programs that enhance opportunities for Cambodia’s youths, build resilience in communities, and contribute to sustainable infrastructure.
The Foundation’s flagship projects are the Chen Zhi Scholarship, offering full scholarships, stipends, internships, and work opportunities to 400 Cambodian university students over a period of seven years, and Prince Horology, where aspiring Cambodian watchmakers learn the art of Swiss-style watchmaking in a state-of-the-art facility. Prince Foundation has launched more than 280 philanthropic initiatives, benefiting over 1.5 million people, with donations exceeding US$18 million.