Cambodia Investment Review
In this week’s episode of Rising Giants, Chan Socheata Poum, founder of Snoopedu, shares insights into the challenges and achievements of integrating STEM education in Cambodia. As the founder of a company dedicated to revolutionizing learning, Poum emphasizes the importance of a holistic educational approach, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), and the growing shift towards student-centric learning in the country’s education system.
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The Birth of Snoopedu: Navigating the Challenges of COVID-19
Reflecting on her journey, Poum explained how the idea of Snoopedu came to life during the COVID-19 pandemic. “My business partner and I met in high school, and we reconnected during the pandemic because of our shared passion for education,” she noted. In 2020, after returning to Phnom Penh from New Zealand, where she completed her studies, Poum took up a part-time lecturing position in computer science. “Teaching during that time allowed me to observe how students performed differently, even in the same environment, and I noticed concerning dropout rates. This ignited my interest in understanding how people are taught from a global perspective,” she said.
The initial idea for Snoopedu was to use technology to provide equitable access to quality education, but the early stages proved challenging. “We quickly realized that our initial assumptions about virtual learning environments needed validation. Education products are complex, and many factors must be considered,” Poum explained. The company pivoted away from its first product and began testing module-based learning in schools across Cambodia. “We wanted Snoopedu to become a community for people passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), who could share their diverse experiences and improve the learning process for young people eager to explore these subjects,” she said.
Overcoming Obstacles: The Challenges of STEM Integration in Cambodian Schools
Despite the enthusiasm for STEM education, Poum pointed out significant challenges that Cambodian schools face when implementing STEM programs. “The government has taken steps to integrate STEM subjects into school curriculums as part of its broader strategy. However, it’s not just about teaching the subjects but about rethinking pedagogy itself,” she said. Poum described how traditional teaching methods in Cambodia have often been teacher-centered, where the teacher is the sole source of information. “We are moving towards a more creative teaching approach that focuses on student engagement, using strategies like constructivist learning, discovery inquiry, problem-based learning, and project-based learning,” she added.
Several barriers hinder the integration of STEM education in Cambodia, including infrastructure limitations, a lack of access to internet and devices, and gaps in teacher training. “Some of the most significant challenges include the scarcity of materials, human resources, and the knowledge required to create effective lesson plans within our framework,” Poum explained. “We are also working on fostering an ecosystem where students can enjoy the learning process, which is essential to making STEM education effective,” she said.
Snoopedu has been working closely with schools to bridge these gaps, starting with a pilot program focused on coding. “Our first school partner signed us on to run a coding program for their students. We designed the program, trained three facilitators, and started working with students. The feedback was incredible—students reached out on weekends for help with their code, and parents thanked us, urging us to continue,” Poum recounted. This positive feedback confirmed that the company was on the right track.
STEM Education and the Role of Technology in the Classroom
Poum also discussed the growing influence of technology, particularly AI, in classrooms. “Students today want to see tangible results from their learning, like building a website or creating a robot, rather than focusing solely on theory. We have incorporated this into our programs by setting clear, achievable outcomes,” she said. In terms of AI, Snoopedu is teaching students how to use the technology correctly by focusing on its fundamentals. “We are ensuring that students understand AI at a low level, so they can apply it appropriately,” she added.
The future of online education was another key point in the conversation. Poum reflected on the lessons learned from the pandemic, particularly the difficulty of keeping students fully engaged in a virtual environment. “Even though we shifted to online learning during COVID-19, we found that students still needed physical spaces for learning, where they could interact socially and collaborate with peers,” she said. This has reinforced Snoopedu’s commitment to creating more offline programs for schools with limited internet access. “Our mission is to ensure that all students, regardless of location, have access to quality STEM education, whether online or offline,” she stated.
Looking ahead, Snoopedu plans to increase its work with public schools. “Public schools offer a universal benchmark under the Ministry of Education, allowing us to align our programs with national standards and adjust accordingly. We aim to empower schools to run these programs themselves, while we provide support from behind the scenes,” Poum said.
Advice for Entrepreneurs: Learning to Manage Cash Flow
Towards the end of the episode, Poum shared some of the best advice she has received as an entrepreneur. “I was told that when you think you have a cash flow problem, it might not be a financial problem but a management issue. That perspective has helped me re-evaluate how we manage cash flow and operations,” she said. This advice has been crucial in guiding her through the challenges of running an education-based startup in Cambodia.
Through Snoopedu, Poum is helping shape the future of STEM education in Cambodia, focusing on fostering a love for learning, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The company’s journey underscores the importance of adaptability, community involvement, and a commitment to making education accessible and engaging for all students in Cambodia.
