Empowering Cambodian Girls: Happy Chandara's Innovative Fablab Launch
- Editorial team
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
Financed by the Dassault Systèmes Foundation and developed in collaboration with the École des Mines d'Alès, an innovative fablab opens its doors on the Happy Chandara campus in Cambodia.
The first of its kind in a Cambodian school and only the fifth in the entire country, this facility aims to stimulate the creativity, technical skills, and scientific ambition of its 1,300 students.
A Global Context of Persistent Inequalities
This project comes at a time when the world is marked by a glaring under-representation of women in scientific and technological fields. According to UNESCO, less than one-third of researchers worldwide are women, and they make up only 35% of students in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).In Cambodia, where access to technical education remains limited—especially for girls from rural backgrounds—these disparities are amplified by socio-economic and cultural barriers.
Happy Chandara's Concrete Commitment
Happy Chandara, a campus dedicated to inclusive education, is actively countering this trend through its "Girls and Science" program, supported by the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Foundation.This initiative offers in-depth STEM courses, encourages participation in national and international competitions, and guides students toward higher scientific studies. A tangible result: the majority of the campus's graduates now choose science pathways, marking a reversal of local trends.
Innovative Projects at the Heart of the Fablab
The fablab, the beating heart of this initiative, will enable hands-on, educational projects: 3D printing of personalized teaching aids, development of robots, fabrication of wind turbines for renewable energy, robotic arms, drones, or low-cost lab equipment.These activities, tailored to Cambodian realities such as environmental monitoring or energy access in rural areas, will transform students into agents of local innovation. "This space for experimentation is not a luxury, but an essential lever for empowering young girls," emphasizes the campus leadership.
Toward Inclusive and Sustainable Development
By inaugurating this fablab, Happy Chandara does not merely follow global standards; it surpasses them by laying the foundations for an inclusive educational ecosystem. A key step for a Cambodia seeking sustainable technological development, where women can finally take their rightful place in research and industry.
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