The SIMPLE VR Contest was officially launched in Cambodia on 3rd September 2026 at the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology (CADT) in Phnom Penh, simultaneously with its ASEAN wide launch. Hosted by CADT and supported by the European Union delegation to Cambodia, the launching event brought together approximately 220 participants, including government officials, diplomats, representatives from Cambodian universities, and students specializing in digital technology, engineering, and science.

Distinguished guests included H.E. Dr. Chea Vandeth, Minister of Post and Telecommunications; H.E. Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia; and H.E. Olivier Richard, Ambassador of France to Cambodia, Dr. Guillaume Da, the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) representative in Cambodia, alongside representatives of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the EU delegation, the French Embassy and SIMPLE Project partners.

In his welcome remarks, H.E. Dr. Seng Sopheap, President of CADT, described the SIMPLE VR Contest as an opportunity for Cambodian university students to learn, collaborate, and create VR-based solutions to real-world challenges, while gaining practical skills that contribute to the country’s digital innovation future.

Ambassador Richard spoke to how French and European scientific cooperation can harness technologies such as VR to support education, sustainability, and youth development in Cambodia, strengthening ties between Cambodian and French institutions. Ambassador Driesmans highlighted the VR Contest as an example of EU–Cambodia cooperation, noting its potential to make learning more engaging and to open pathways for further education and career opportunities in both Europe and Cambodia. Minister Chea Vandeth described the VR Contest as a practical platform for developing Cambodia’s next generation of digital innovators, combining VR technology, hands-on learning, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration.

The event featured a VR showcase, allowing guests to experience the Cambodian Virtual Universe (VU) developed under the framework of the SIMPLE Project, simulating a rice field ecosystem, its trophic network and the interest of promoting agroecological practices to manage it. This was followed by a short presentation of the SIMPLE Project and the VR Contest guidelines to attending students, lecturers, and researchers, covering the contest’s objectives, eligibility requirements, timeline, and registration process.

Registration for the SIMPLE VR Contest 2026 remains open until 20th November 2026. Full details are available at contest.project-simple.eu.