Young Francophones in Asia-Pacific: a summer of action

This summer, French-speaking youth in Asia-Pacific mobilized around three key events dedicated to employability and entrepreneurship. From Bangkok to Phnom Penh, via Danang, students are invited to take part in multi-faceted activities that strengthen their skills and broaden their professional horizons. Organized by the Centres d'employabilité francophone (CEF), these summer gatherings illustrate the dynamism and commitment of the region's young francophones, ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow's job market.

Bangkok: 68 students, 6 countries, one language

In Bangkok, 68 French-speaking students from 6 countries (Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam) came together under the theme "Bringing young French speakers together for employability and entrepreneurship in Thailand". This summer school, organized by Rangsit University and the CEF in Bangkok, aimed to break down cultural and geographical barriers, while forging strong links between young Francophones in the region. The ultimate goal: to foster dialogue between the academic and socio-economic worlds through a variety of fun activities.

Over the course of a week, participants exchanged ideas, created and innovated through practical workshops, company visits and networking sessions. Each activity aimed to hone their employability and entrepreneurial skills, while offering them the opportunity to strengthen their command of the French language. The objective was clear: to prepare these young talents to become agents of change in an increasingly connected world, where French serves as a bridge between cultures.

Thailand, with its breathtaking scenery and rich historical heritage, provided the ideal setting for this summer university. The students were able to combine learning and discovery, reinforcing the solidarity and dynamism of the Francophonie in the Asia-Pacific region.

Phnom Penh: "Summer Boost" - Immersion in the world of entrepreneurship

A few days later, Phnom Penh welcomed 25 students from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for a total immersion in the world of entrepreneurship. Under the theme "Summer Boost: Entrepreneurship and Employability", this third edition of the Summer University for French-speaking students at the University of Fine Arts of Cambodia offered them an intense and formative experience.

Over five days, participants engaged in a series of practical workshops, from business plan design to job search techniques. They were also able to discover Phnom Penh's CEF, a key player in the connection between the university and the local socio-economic world.

Beyond the workshops, the week was marked by cultural and economic discoveries. The students visited the Women's Employability Center in Kampong Chhnang, explored the historic site of Oudong, and discovered the management of a dairy farm in Takeo. They then visited a silver factory to learn about private business management in the region. These experiences, enriched by intercultural exchanges, not only strengthened their understanding of local issues, but also solidified the bonds between the region's young francophones.

The event concluded with a presentation of the students' entrepreneurial projects, which were evaluated by a jury of professionals. A festive evening, organized by the Royal University of Fine Arts, brought this intense week to a close, celebrating both the individual successes and the collective strength of young French-speaking students in Asia-Pacific.

Danang: Preparing French-speaking engineering students for the challenges of renewable energy

In Danang, the University of Technology and Education and the Danang CEF organized a seminar on solar energy optimization on July 22, 2024. The event, part of Vietnam's efforts to promote sustainable energy solutions, brought together engineering students, energy sector professionals and academics.

The aim of the seminar was to equip French-speaking students with the skills needed to excel in the monitoring and maintenance of solar power plants, with a particular focus on cutting-edge energy optimization technologies.The aim of the seminar was to equip French-speaking students with the skills needed to excel in the monitoring and maintenance of solar power plants, with a particular focus on cutting-edge solar energy optimization technologies, as well as raising awareness of the benefits of integrating machine learning into solar power plant management. Professor Ogliari Emanuele, an expert from POLITECNICO DI MILANO, discussed the future prospects of solar energy in Vietnam. The session concluded with a series of interactive discussions between participants, encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences on the future of solar energy in Vietnam.

The event not only enriched the participants' knowledge, but also strengthened relations between the university and companies in the sector, paving the way for future collaborations. For the young participants, the seminar was an invaluable opportunity to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow, and to become involved in a fast-growing sector.for the young participants, the seminar was a valuable opportunity to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow and to enter a rapidly expanding sector, creating new opportunities for employment and innovation in renewable energies.

To round off this eventful summer season, next week will see two highlights for French-speaking youth: the second regional gathering of the French-speaking Student Leaders Clubs (CLEF) of Asia-Pacific, to be held on September 10 in Hanoi, and the French-speaking Youth Forum "Employabilitycréation et innovation au cœur de la Francophonie en Asie-Pacifique", jointly organized by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), the AUF and the Vietnamese Youth Union, from September 11 to 13. Stay tuned for highlights of the event.

Source: www.auf.org/nouvelles