VisionFund cooperates to offer Cambodia's first microfinance management course

Bora Om Seng, VisionFund Executive Director, exchanges copies of agreeement with PPIU rector on Microfinance Management Bachelor program

VisionFund (Cambodia) signed a partnership agreement with the Phnom Penh International University (PPIU) on April 21 at the capital’s Hargar Restaurant to offer what will be the first bachelor program in the country.

VisionFund Executive Director Bora Om Seng and PPIU Rector Chhuon Chanthan inked the agreement on the Bachelor of Business Administration in Microfinance Management, and expressed optimism about the benefits of the academic program.

“The program is meant to strengthen VisionFund staff’s skills, knowledge and attitude in the microfinance industry, and contributes to developing human resources to support the Cambodian sector actively,” Bora emphasizes.

The program, scheduled to start in July, welcomes students not only those from VisionFund but other institutions and individuals. PPIU will charge students based on its internal regulations—about US$ 400 per year, with VisionFund as the biggest funding sponsor for its staff attending the course.

From sponsorship, a VisionFund employee will pay only US$400 for the four-year-program, and will have US$10 deducted from their monthly salary to cover the cost. They will receive premium including travel and accommodation fees when studying at the PPIU. 

“Students in the microfinance management course will learn from theories and practices from lecturers who have extensive experience in microfinance and previously undertook study abroad,” Chhuon Chanthan said, referring to lecturers who will be provided by VisionFund.

“The bachelor program will be successful due to the commitment and experience of VisionFund and PPIU,” he said, adding that his university has nearly 10 years of experience in educational services and has enrolled more than 2,000 students for the academic year 2008-2009.

The program includes subjects on financial, staff and risk management, business planning, financial education, relevant laws, English, economics and philosophy so that students can absorb broader knowledge.

Yieng Tivan, service post manager for VisionFund Battambang Branch and one of the 40 VisionFund staff who has registered for the course, says: “I have decided to attend the program because I think it is new and can benefit me a lot as I am working in micro finance. I hope it will help me excel in the organization.”

“In addition, the course offers favorable academic opportunities to staff who have yet to attend university courses. Sponsorship from the organization also reduces my expense a great deal for the study,” he adds.

“VisionFund is absolutely delighted to offer such sponsorship,” Executive Director Bora explains. “We want our staff to enjoy more education, and we strongly believe that staff will perform well in the academic program and appropriately apply what they learn.”