Industry Leaders to Consider ‘phnom Penh in 2020’ at Gac

• 12 March 2016
• Local News
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A panel of industry leaders will debate what Phnom Penh will look like in 2020 at the 2nd Annual Global Alumni Convention (GAC) on 29-30 January 2016.

This annual alumni networking series brings together leaders from industry and governments around a series of interactive panel discussions and social functions to debate the hottest topics facing contemporary Cambodia. The GAC is organised by IDP Education, the world’s largest student placement services provider.

Andrew Barkla, CEO at IDP Education, explained the popularity of this unique event saying, “The Global Alumni Convention reflects the significant impact that alumni have on national human resource development and the recognition of it at the very highest levels of government and industry.”

One of the most highly anticipated GAC2016 panel discussions is Urban Planning and Construction: Phnom Penh in 2020. The confirmed panelists are: H.E Sok Siphana, Advisor to the RGC on the Law on Construction / Managing Partner, SokSiphana&associates; Kim Heang, CEO Khmer Real Estate / President CVEA; Hun Chansan, Principal Architect, Re-Edge Architecture + Design; and Simon Griffiths, Associate Director, CBRE Cambodia. The Moderator will be David Marshall, Head of Multi-National Corporates at ANZ Bank and committee member of CanCham and IBC.

“The GAC is a platform that generates the exchange of ideas for the city of Phnom Penh. To be able to share my opinion on the environment and the society that I was born in and am living in deeply touches my personal goals in life,” said Hun Chansan, who studied architecture in the US and is also a regular contributor to Construction & Property Magazine.

With the event structured on an interactive Q+A format, the panelists will be discussing their visions of the future growth and shape of the nation’s capital in terms of planning, design, infrastructure, and sustainability. The panel will respond to questions and discuss the challenges facing the city as well as the opportunities for its residents and the construction and property sectors.

Asked how he thought the convention can benefit those who attend, Simon Griffiths said, “The best thing one can ever do is believe in continual learning and development of oneself and the others around you. To this extent we never stop learning and should not stop sharing those experiences with those around us.”

GAC2016 is to be officially opened by H.E Dr Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education Youth and Sport. Organisers anticipate attendance by more than 500 alumni, professionals, experts and leaders from governments and the private sector.

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