Interns and volunteers

Program and Partnership Manager

Vimoil is a Program and Partnership Manager at Open Development Cambodia (ODC). She provides strategic oversight and management for the Innovations in Social Accountability in Cambodia (ISAC) project and the research contributions to ODC content, while also coordinating all aspects of the Innovations in Social Accountability in Cambodia (ISAC) project. She is also responsible for developing training programs and training target groups on how to use ODC’s website.

She holds two bachelor’s degrees in economic development and English for translation and interpreting, and Master’s degree in environment, development and sustainability from Chulalongkorn University. Before being a part of ODC, she was a programme assistant at Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) and an assistant to managing director at a private company.

Social Development Editor – Researcher

Chanphalla is a Social Development Editor – Researcher of Open Development Cambodia. His main responsibilities are daily news summary, conducting research, producing social development related contents, translating, editing and other reporting tasks.

Chanphalla is an International Relations (IR) graduate of Institute of Foreign Language(IFL), the Royal University of Phnom Penh in 2017. Before joining ODC, Chanphalla worked as Future Forum’s young research fellow on which he has conducted various projects. His latest research project concentrated on STEM education in Cambodia.

Data Research and GIS Specialist

Kalyan is a data research and GIS specialist at Open Development Cambodia (ODC). He used to work for ODC since it was firstly established in 2011 until 2015. Later he led GIS technical project of GPS navigation in a private sector. He joined back to ODC in 2019.

He is responsible for leading the team in all data-related research activities, focusing on gathering, organizing, and display data about a particular location in a digital format. He also uses GIS technology to compile, maintain, and update information from a variety of sources for the public’s use and ensure that data across all topic areas are complete, accurate, and up-to-date. He graduated in Land Management and Land Administration in 2011 and holds a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources Management from the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) in 2020.

Communications Manager

Maneth manages social media platforms, designing, and programs of Open Development Cambodia (ODC). He is also in charge of other internal and external communications.

Maneth graduated from the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy, RUPP, with International Relations major and completed his exchange study at Carroll College, USA. He later became an International Relations lecturer at the Institute for over 3 years. Then, he worked as a Digital Marketer at private companies and is now working as a Communications Manager at ODC.

Senior Data Research & GIS Officer /Capacity Building Coordinator 

Pisith works as a Senior Data Research & GIS Officer /Capacity Building Coordinator at Open Development Cambodia (ODC). He satisfactorily completed Engineering’s Degree of Geo-Resources and Geotechnical Engineering (GGE) from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) in 2019. During the year of his graduation in 2019, Pisith was granted a scholarship for a one-semester exchange program at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand where his thesis was completed for successful graduation in ITC.

At ODC, his work focuses on researching spatial data, on various sectors relevant to development in Cambodia from all reliable sources which provide open data, for handling assembling enhancing and visualizing by using GIS to generate a usable data product for publication in organization web pages. Besides the key role of producing dataset, particularly spatial dataset, he also takes part in conducting training and developing the curriculum of training related to data and GIS for the relevant projects.

Finance and Admin Manager

Mr PHY Sakhoeun graduated Master’s degree of Management from Human Resources University in 2012, Bachelor’s degree of English Literature from Build Bridge University (BBU) in 2009, and Bachelor’s degree of Accounting from the National University of Management in 2003. Relevant to working experience, Mr Sakhoeun has thirteen years experiences on Financing, Administration and Human resources with both local and international organizations in Cambodia.

Since the early of 2018, Mr Sakhoeun is a Finance and Admin Manager at Open Development Cambodia (ODC), and works closely with ODC Executive Director under the main responsibilities such as: verifying all the payment documents and accounting transaction before posting to the accounting system, making a financial report for Executive Director and donors timely, preparing the budget proposal to donors, preparing all projects budget monitoring reports and submitting monthly to Executive Director. Besides this, he also facilitates in the process of auditing, monitoring the effectiveness of in-hand budget using, providing technical support to Finance and Admin Officer, coordinating on staff recruitment and orientation, reviewing staff payroll and other related benefits, taxation documents, national social security fund, organization policy and procedure and revising if there are gaps, also doing other tasks which mentioned in the job description.

Communications Officer

Kheang is in charge of producing ODC’s communication materials as well as assisting with various ODC activities such as trainings, workshops, and meetings with key stakeholders and partners. He also publishes blog posts about ODC’s activities.

Haingkheang earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations (IR) from the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL), Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) in 2021 and a Bachelor of Arts in Media Management from the Royal University of Phnom Penh’s Department of Media and Communication (DMC) in 2022. Before joining ODC, Kheang worked as a news reporter intern for VOD Khmer and Coconut Media in Bangkok, where his articles primarily focused on social issues and lifestyle.

IT and Website Manager

Sakal is responsible for the role of developing and maintaining the ODC digital platforms and other associated platforms.

Sakal holds a Software Development Diploma from ITStep Academy. Before Joining Open Development Cambodia (ODC), he was a Software Engineer with 3+ years of hands-on development, design, and coding in a VTech Co., LTD providing technical solutions for international clients.

Housekeeper

Kimhuoy is mainly responsible for maintaining the ODC office, a good environment, cleanliness, and a well-organized office. She also assists in drinks and snacks preparation for guests and staff as needed during meetings, training, and workshops and takes care of all the kitchen supplies. Before joining ODC, Kimhuoy used to work at Bayon Airlines for seven years as an airline catering.

Mr. BE Chantra is the lead organizer of BarCamp in Cambodia, an international, innovative, and open technology conference. He is in charge of overall event planning, funding and coordination of all activities, ensuring the events run smoothly and meet expected outcomes. He has also organized and participated in many local events and workshops such as the Blogger Summit, Startup Weekend Cambodia, TechCamp Phnom Penh, Clogger Corner, Personal IT workshop, Mekong ICT Camp, youth camps, and regional Bar Camps. His goal has been to promote the effective use of technology tools for individual organizations and businesses. He has worked on the organization of private events and campaigns requiring social mobilization. Besides event management, he is also an online content, social media and marketing specialist. Chantra was elected chair of ODC’s governing board in October, 2013.

Administrative Assistant

Tevin’s main responsibility is to assist the Finance & Admin units in providing admin/logistic support for the events, preparing Travel Authorization (TA) forms and clearance, maintaining the fixed asset and inventory lists, procurement works, handling cash advance, and scanning and copying financial documents.

Tevin held a bachelor’s degree in Economic Development from the University of Law and Economics in 2020. Before joining ODC, Tevin had more than 3 years of experience with private company sectors in Admin & Procurement.

Ms. SIN Kim Sean is the Deputy Chief of Party and Grants Manager in the East-West Management Institute’s Program on Cambodian Civil Society Strengthening (CCSS). She is a lawyer, an arbitrator in labor field for Arbitration Council and arbitrator in commercial field for Cambodia’s National Arbitration Center and for the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb). Kim Sean’s previous work experience includes being a programme officer at the Asia Foundation, a legal instructor at the University of San Francisco and then the Community Legal Education Center, a founding member of the Human Rights Task Force in Cambodia, and a researcher at the Legal Center for Research Documentation of the National Assembly. She holds a Master’s degree in International Laws and Economics from the World Trade Institute in Switzerland, a Bachelor of Law degree from Cambodia’s National Institute of Management and the Royal University of Law and Economics in Cambodia, a Certificate from the University of San Francisco, and a Certificate as a Legal Research Scholar from the University of Michigan in the United States of America. In these positions, Kim Sean has held to high ethical principles in pursuit of transparency and democracy, in both spirit and practice.

Managing Editor

VENG Seang Hai has joined Open Development Cambodia (ODC) since 2023 in the role of Managing Editor, providing both operational and technical assistance to the Executive Editor/Editor-in-Chief and to the ODC team as a whole. He works closely together with ODC’s Editors team to ensure reliable sets of data and content which contribute to inclusive and sustainable development in Cambodia. Before landing on ODC, Seang Hai undertook consultancy research studies for various institutions including Gothenburg Research Institute, Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Chiang Mai University, Rapid Asia Co., Ltd, and others. Seang Hai holds MA in Development Studies from Chiang Mai University, and BA in Education from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. From the background as a development anthropologist focusing on the Mekong Region, Seang Hai shares several areas of interest in the field of development including transnational migration and inequality, a human rights-based approach to sustainable development, disabilities and child rights, and others.

Economics  Editor – Researcher

Songmouy is an Economics Editor-Researcher at Open Development Cambodia. She holds a Bachelor of International Affairs and Economics from Lafayette College in 2022. Before joining ODC, Songmouy worked as a senior research analyst at a market research company.

Her main responsibilities include publishing daily news summaries, conducting research, producing economics-related content, and other editing support tasks. She also coordinates and supports different projects within ODC.

Mr. Norbert KLEIN, also one of ODC’s original advisory board members, is a patriarch of the Internet community in Cambodia, having been instrumental in setting up Cambodia’s Internet system in the 1990s. Norbert was also a founder and long-term head of the Internet Society of Cambodia, as well as a founder and board member of the Open Institute, an NGO leader in ICT4D. He set up and managed the Mirror, an early and long-running news aggregator, which operated from 1997–2009. Norbert is “actively retired.” He continues to consult and speak on Internet and Internet governance issues around the world.

Mr. BUN Tharum is currently a communications lead at InSTEDD iLab Southeast Asia, a locally run innovation lab focused on the sustainable design and development of technologies for social good. A blogger and self-claimed digital diplomat in Cambodia since 2004, Tharum initiated the first technology conference BarCamp Phnom Penh. He also possesses an extensive background in online journalism and digital media. His works can be found on GlobalVoicesOnline.org, The Phnom Penh Post, Asian Correspondent, and Voice of America. Tharum is an alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program.

Mr.​ PUTH​ Chan​ Choth​ is​ an​ ICT​ manager​ of​ an​ international​ humanitarian​ organization​ in​ Cambodia.​ He​ is​ also​ a​ technical​ working​ group​ of​ CCC​ (Cooperation​ Committee​ for​ Cambodia)​ that​ help​ to​ contribute​ an​ effective​ use​ of​ ICT​ for​ civil​ society​ organizations​ as​ well​ as​ contributing​ of​ ICT​ section​ from​ NGO​ sectors​ to​ the​ government​ national​ strategic​ development​ plan.​ His​ education​ background:​ 2010​ Diploma​ of​ Leadership​ and​ Management,​ UK.​ 2004​ Diploma​ of​ Open​ Source​ Software​ and​ Integration,​ Japan.​ 2001​ Bachelor​ degree​ of​ Computer​ Science​ and​ Engineering,​ Cambodia.

Mr. MOUN Vicheth has completed an outstanding bachelor of Philosophy in Yangon, Myanmar. He used to be an Editor and a member of Advisors Team of Annual publishedbooks of Cambodian Buddhist Students Monks Association in Myanmar between 2007 and 2010. The published books are the composed of life, virtue, social circumstances, humanity, good deeds and bad deeds, and family, etc. Those books are intended to inspire people to lead their lives on a virtuous path. He was also a coordinator of the Cambodian Buddhist Students Monks Association to the Cambodian Embassy in Myanmar and international donors. He was also a member of the discussing on the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations with representatives of the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC) and Ministry of Interior officials. He has a broad knowledge on the meditation retreat. He teaches people how to do mindfulness meditation techniques for managing stress and psychic power.

Ms. THOL Syvane is a recent graduate of Master of International Business from The University of Melbourne, Australia. She also holds a Bachelor of Finance and Banking at Royal University of Law and Economics, and a Bachelor of Education in Teaching English as a Foreign Language at Cambodian Mekong University, Cambodia.

In her university life, she was successfully granted a competitive LIVE (Lead, Intern, Volunteer, Experience) Project as a leading consultant, supported by Study Melbourne (Victorian State Government). She has worked closely in the communities and accredited as an awarded Leader, appreciation for high capability, and contribution on training and community development of leader programs such as becoming a mentor and performing a pivotal role in the Global Leaders Program. Besides, she is an assistant director of a law and taxation consulting company. Within her post, she is dynamic and enthusiastic, and actively assists in providing indispensable support to the team of processing, research, updates, analysis, and reviews of documents.

Furthermore, she has experience in financial institutions such as Mega International Commercial Bank and Cambodian Public Bank Plc. By utilizing her experience and skills, she has extensive knowledge and specializes in substantive credit and trade finance as one of the necessary skills to bring success to the business and social development. In addition to corporate matters, she has been selected highly and formally as an Alumni of Distinction awardee for the Faculty of Business and Economics, Melbourne.

Mr. Ian RAMAGE is the founder and director of Angkor Research and Consulting. With a Master of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Wollongong, New South Wales, he previously worked as a psychologist in juvenile detention centers in Australia and, as a consultant, prepared interdepartmental policies and guidelines on child protection and the mentally ill for the New South Wales state government. He moved to Cambodia in 1999, where he became a visiting lecturer and course advisor in psychology at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Since 1999, he has successfully completed over 120 research projects in Cambodia with UN agencies, bilateral donors and NGOs, with a focus on program and impact evaluations in the fields of public/reproductive health, social welfare, gender, environment, agriculture and socioeconomics. He transitioned to the ODC Board from the pre-board advisory group, where he was one of the original members

Texas Wesleyan School of Law

Legal Research Intern, Jun – Jul 2013

Katherine was a graduate student from the Texas Wesleyan School of Law. Katherine spent her summer in 2013 with ODC, during which she completed a briefing paper on the Cambodian health sector. Currently, Katherine is working for AlliedBarton Security Services and still studying international security, medicine, and legal policy.

Mr. OUM Vantharith is an advocate for free and open knowledge movements in Cambodia. His interests span from #OpenData, to #OpenAccess, #OpenLicensing, #Crowdsourcing #OnlineCollaboration and micro-financing. He first got involved with the open source movement doing localization into Khmer language. Later he discovered Wikipedia and has been a volunteer since July 2006, becoming an administrator for Khmer Wikipedia in 2009. He is also a project lead for ccCambodia to promote the Creative Commons movement in Cambodia. His general areas of interest include foreign languages, photography and travel.

Mr. John WEEKS is an IT/open source enthusiast and educator. He has facilitated numerous socially responsible IT projects in Southeast Asia via House32 Web Design, and is currently managing Open-Comics.net.

Web Development and IT Officer

Vichra is mainly responsible for ensuring the well-functionality of IT network systems and infrastructure, including hardware and software. Moreover, his primary responsibility is on digital security control, system upgrade, and other IT-related support. Additionally, he supports website development and maintenance.

Vichra held a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Cambodia in 2018. Before joining ODC, Vichra had more than five years of experience with private and non-private sectors in IT support.