Category - Inform

Our guest speaker from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung

December 3, 2010

Every Friday, the Department of Media and Communication (DMC) invites guest speaker from different places including governmental and non-governmental organization to share their experiences with it’s students from year I to year IV. This morning, we have a great honor that Dr. Stefan Friedrich, a team leader of Konrad Adenauer Stifung, came to give a presentation about the foundation and answer some questions from the students related to the political situation in Cambodia.

The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) is a political foundation. In Germany, 16 regional offices and two conference centers offer a wide variety of civic education conferences and events. Their offices abroad are in charge of more than 200 projects in more than 120 countries.

Since one of my friend wrote about what we had discussed in this morning meeting, I would like to give a floor to him. Please CLICK HERE to know what he has written.

Dara Saoyuth

03/12/2010

Photos in the aftermath of Koh Pich accident

November 24, 2010

Dara Saoyuth

Inform

Since I was at my hometown during Monday night’s stampede on Diamond Island’s north bridge, I could not capture the event.

Yesterday afternoon, as soon as I arrived the city, I went to the Phnom Penh Post office and was assigned to assist a foreign reporter in shooting documentary related to the accident.

I went to the Cambodia – Russian Khmer Friendship Hospital to the hospital where some bodies and victims were placed. I later went to Koh Pich to see the blessing ceremony for the deceased.

Below are some photos and video clips I shot in the aftermath of the tragedy.

[slideshow]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhUXoJ-kI5M&hl=en&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWkzOnPwmXc&hl=en&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5pcPlU7UwQ&hl=en&fs=1]

Dara Saoyuth

24/11/2010

Water Festival Ends in Tragedy

November 23, 2010

Dara Saoyuth

Hot news, Inform

People watching body lifting into coffin / by: Dara Saoyuth

Some of you might say it’s a bit late for Student Blog to run a story about an accident happened at Koh Pich (Diamond Island) on Monday night. As a Cambodian, I think this tragedy will never be outdated to write and it’s hard for me to let this event passed without having something on my blog.

Last night, I was at my hometown in Kampot province and while I was sleeping, my parents woke me up to watch a live broadcast program on TV. It’s around 2am at that time. Having a look on TV screen, I immediately felt shock because of what I saw and heard was about the tragedy that hundreds people died and other hundreds people injured.

A short time after I saw what was happening, I took my phones to call to some of my friends and relatives asking whether they are all right while lots of SMS came to my phone one after another asking whether I am ok.

Ki Media mentioned that the accident happened around 10:00pm on 22^nd of November 2010. You can read many articles about this accident written in both English and Khmer and to assist you, I will recommend you some addresses below.

Website in English:

1. Hundreds die in tragic end to water festival

2 Phnom Penh struggles to cope with tragic stampede_The Phnom Penh Post

Hundreds dead as popular water festival ends in tragedy_International News

Blog in Khmer:

1. ២២ វិច្ឆិកា ២០១០ មេរៀនមួយសម្រាប់ខ្មែរ

2. សាក្សី និង ជាជនរងគ្រោះថា សោកនាដកម្មបណ្តាលមកពីឆក់ចរន្តអគ្គិសនី

3. មហាសោកនាដកម្មកោះពេជ្រ

Dara Saoyuth

23/11/2010

Watching a new Cambodian film, Kiles

November 14, 2010

Dara Saoyuth

Inform, LIFT, Personal Interest/Experience

2 Comments

If you read LIFT issue 44, you’ll know what a reporter wrote for this week in what’s new section. No wonder, it’s a review of a Cambodian drama film, Kiles (literally translate as Passion), written by Mao Ayuth, the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Information.

After reading the review, I was so eager to watch the film. Fortunately, I received a free ticket from one of my friends, so Saturday afternoon was my second time I went to lux cinema watching films.

I don’t remember my first time in this cinema, but for this time, one thing I’ve noticed is that most of the audiences are teenagers who mostly walk in with their partners and some were still wearing school uniforms as if they were entering classroom. Before the film started, I was on my seat trying to fathom out the reason why there are small number of adults in the theater. Unfortunately, the film had started before I could find the answer, so let me give you a floor to come up with the answer to my doubt.

Below is the original review of the film written by Tet Chan, a LIFT reporter. Cheers,

Kiles poster

Perhaps you have heard stories about life in Cambodia during French colonization. Maybe you are even an expert on the period, but I’m certainly not. Hoping to learn more about postWorld War II Cambodia, I went with my friends to see Kiles, the newest movie to hit Cambodia’s theatres, and the first production by the Cambodia Film Commission, a government- funded initiative meant to raise the standard of Cambodian film.

The sounds of chanting plays over the opening scene as an old rich man named Kiles is lying in bed, lonely and weak. It doesn’t look like he has long to live, but, as luck would have it, the frail fellow recovers and returns to live with his four wives and countless servants.

The news keeps getting better for the geezer when one of these servants reads his palm and tells him that his fifth wife will be a beautiful young woman. Kiles isn’t a man to wait around for fortune to find him, so he tells his future-seeing househelp to track down someone who owes him money and demand that they give him their daughter’s hand in marriage to clear their debt.

The unfortunate and indebted man who the servant finds conveniently has a beautiful daughter named Teuy. Her devoted boyfriend Plok is a cremator, and he has been taking the golden coins from the mouths of corpses to save for their wedding. When the servant comes knocking he has 99 of the 100 coins needed to get engaged.

Close doesn’t cut it for Teuy’s father, who predictably agrees to marry her off to erase his debts.

It’s not long before old man Kiles and young beauty Teuy are preparing to be married. I’m not a movie-spoiler, so I’m not gonna tell you what happens next. I’ll say that it’s not as predictable as the plot I described thus far.

In some ways the movie seemed to sugggest it would be a sad love story, but that’s not how it was recieved. My friends and I laughed with the rest of the audience during much of the movie, especially a series of scenes showing Plok trying to commit suicide, once by taking a bowl, filling it with water and immersing his head in an attempt to drown. His efforts are so obviously futile that moviegoers don’t have to worry about his pending death. Plok isn’t a complete coward though, in another scene he puts his life on the line to steal his woman from the decrepit dude who stole her away … I’ll let you find out what happens when you see the movie. Feel free to thank me later.

While some of the scenes were silly, others were quite beautiful; with music and gorgeous Cambodian scenery that made me feel a bit of nationalistic pride while being entertained. It was refreshing to see a Cambodian movie with decent acting and voices that are actually recorded during production.

I was quite happy with my decision to spend an hour and half immersed in scenes and stories from Cambodia’s past. You too will have a new perspective on our history, and although some parts of the plot and character development were a bit thin, I walked out of the theatre optimistic about the future of Cambodian film.

Kiles is a unique type of filem in Cambodia these days. It was enjoyable to watch.

“I was happy having spent 90 minutes immersed in scenes from Cambodia’s past.”

14/11/2010

You can also read the article in LIFT, the Phnom Penh Post website by CLICKING HERE

Photo Shootout 2010

November 13, 2010

Dara Saoyuth

Inform

If you like shooting photo, I’m sure you don’t want to miss this photo competition. Below is the information you need to know about this event:

Venue: Golden Tower Building

Date: 27th November 2010

Time: Starting from 7am till 7pm

Open to all nationalities living in Cambodia with no restriction prior to experience or age.

Each participant will be given 3 separate themes in 3 hours to complete each thematic work.

Win exciting prizes like Ixus Camera, Selphy and Pixma Printers

Winners will be announced an awarded at the same day.

Registration ends on 25th of November, 2010 at 3:00pm.

Note: Limited to 300 participants. Call to 023 996 638 or walk-in to register at i-Qlick office

i-Qlick (Cambodia) Ple Ltd No. 825 SD, Preah Monivong Blvd, Sangkat Phsar Doumthkov, Phnom Penh

Office hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00 am – 17:30 pm

Sat, 9:00am – 12:30 pm

Wish you all the best!

Dara Saoyuth

Houses under Sand

November 10, 2010

Dara Saoyuth

Inform

[slideshow]

Lakeside pumping is a hot issue that appears in most media since the previous week.

Development company Shukaku Inc is pumping sand into Boeung Kak Lake area and some houses are already under the sand. Sooner or later, you will not see those houses in the area.

Today, my professors, my classmates and I have spent our lunchtime to ride motors to the place in the hope of seeing what is happening before it’s too late.

Some photos and videos below are what my friends and I shot to share to some of you who don’t have chance to go to the scene.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcoFRZVnCe0&hl=en&fs=1] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy3Pbd2vyTM&hl=en&fs=1]

by: Dara Saoyuth

10/11/2010

Some related stories: 1. Boeung Kak homes lost under sand

2. Filling of Boeung Kak lake halted

57th anniversary of Cambodian Independence

November 9, 2010

Dara Saoyuth

Inform

It’s another holiday for us! Does anyone know the reason why today is the day-off?

Yes, we know!

Today is the 57^th anniversary of Cambodian independence and it’s the special day that all Cambodians will never forget.

Independent Monument during daytime / by: Dara Saoyuth

Cambodia was under protectorate of France from 1863 to 1953 and King Norodom Sihanouk, father of the nation, played an important role in gaining independent for Cambodia. On this day in 1953, he declared the country has independent from French colonial.

In 1958, the Independence Monument, a 20-meter tall, red-stone structure standing in the city center at the intersection of Norodom and Sihanouk Blvd., was inaugurated to commemorate the declaration of Cambodia’s independent from French colonial. It’s shaped is like a lotus and it was built in the Angkorian style. It consists of five levels with a hundred snake heads.

Independent Monument during daytime / by: Dara Saoyuth

Independent monument in nighttime / by: Dara Saoyuth

Source: 1. Microsoft Student 2009 DVD

2. Cambodia Picture House Website

by: Dara Saoyuth

09/11/2010

Invitation to IDEACAMP

November 4, 2010

Dara Saoyuth

Inform

Dear Student Blog visitors,

As the author of the blog, I always try not to get all of you down after typing http://saoyuth.wordpress.com. Despite the fact that in most of my day, I have piles of homework to do and mountains of books to read, I still spend my rather limited time doing something for my blog. SO far, I have joint plenty of events including workshops, conferences, concerts, voluntary works, such and such. Some of you may wonder why I should do this, and, of course, the reson is that ‘I just want to satisfy my visitors curiosity’.

Below is the information about an event so-called ideacamp which will be held on 27-28 November 2010. More information please go to this website: http://yitcambodia.org. NOTE: Hope to see all of you there, and for those who cannot join, please don’t worry that you will miss the event because I will stay update with all of you since I’m one of the facilitators in the event as well.

.: IDEACAMP

As IDEACAMP organizer, I accordingly invite you all to participate our free IDEACAMP conference on the theme of “capacity building and social participation” which will held on 27-28 November 2010 at American Intercon Institute (AII), located at #270 ABCD, Mao Tse Tong Blvd, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.

The IDEACAMP is to bring together high school, college/university students and young people from diverse institutions to meet with other youth and educators, professionals, researchers, academics and provide them a venue where they could share their ideas, views and knowledge on language, technology, leadership, social and also learn from others.

This conference will take 2 days from 27-28 [Saturday-Sunday] November 2010 which got the main sponsor from American Intercon Institute (AII), Moreover everyone can take your own laptop to be with you to access free internet wireless (WiFi) during the conference.

Nokia press launch N8 & C7 in Cambodia

November 3, 2010

Dara Saoyuth

Inform

The Nokia N8 has just been launched in Cambodia last Thursday (28 October, 2010) and now it’s available in any mobile shop in Phnom Penh and in some provinces in the kingdom. The Nokia N8 comes with large 3.5 inches touch screen with resolution of 640 x 320 pixels and is available in five colors including dark grey, silver white, green, blue and orange. I surfed the internet this morning and saw the price of Nokia N8 in a phone shop in Phnom Penh, HAKSE, is $530.

I’m very lucky to be invited to join the launching event at Himawari hotel organized by Nokia International (Cambodia) and Phibious (Cambodia) Ltd. In the launching event, William Hamilton-Whyte, General Manager of Nokia Indochina, mentioned that Nokia N8 is very suitable for businessmen whose jobs need them to travel to many places to do any presentation. “With Nokia N8, we can do our slide presentation, show video from phone with good quality, and do something more than this,” said William Hamilton-Whyte.

Below are some photos taken at the event. Enjoy!

[slideshow]

Also read: Reputation with NOKIA Symbian^3 N8 & C7

by: Dara Saoyuth

03/11/2010

Reputation with NOKIA Symbian^3 N8 & C7

October 30, 2010

Dara Saoyuth

Inform

PRESS RELEASE

Phnom Penh, 28 October 2010

Since the official opening of its representative office in Phnom Penh last July, Nokia International OY (Cambodia) has continued to demonstrate its commitment to deliver new
experiences and knowledge by bringing in the latest advanced range of devices and solutions.

The two latest smartphones, named Nokia N8 and C7 were launched today to more than 40 media representatives, bloggers and local dealers. N8 and C7 are a powerful combination of internet, video, photos, music with Symbian operating system. “We understand the mobile phone customers’ needs in Cambodia and we aim to bring the latest innovation and technology to them. The launch of N8 and C7 devices today allows Nokia to deliver greater value and relevance towards the hi-end segment of the Cambodian consumers”, said William Hamilton-Whyte, General Manager of Nokia Indochina. On that occasion, local media, bloogers and dealers had hands on experience of the N8 & C7 with internet, photo and video editing features. “Our commitment is to bring real value and relevance in all of the markets where Nokia is present. This remains the goal and the promise of the Nokia brand that is to connect people in newer and better ways,” added William Hamilton-Whyte.

Nokia C7 / photo provided

With a population of 14 million, Cambodia has nearly 4 million mobile users, representing 26 percent of the population, according to the United Nations Development Program’s 2009 report, “Cambodia Country Competitiveness”. Beyond that, mobile phones have had a great impact on mobilizations and collective actions, during the biggest events in Cambodia for an example. The people use SMS text messaging for blessing, sharing latest news, nice video, photos or music. They satyed close to their friends and families, connected to the world. Talking with the latest mobile phone is the young Cambodian generation’s stylist.

“Cambodian market is on the move with 9 active telecommunications providers. Nokia N8 & C7 are the first Nokia smartphone based on the Symbian^3 software, and we believe it is a great devices for people in Cambodia who want to create amazing content, connect to their favourite social networks and be entertained with the latest on demand Web TV programme and Ovi Store apps,” commented Mohammed (Md.) Mesbahuddin, Business Development Manager for Nokia Cambodia and Laos.

Nokia N8 / photo provided

The Nokia N8 has been designed with a 12 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon flash and a large sensor that rivals those found in compact digital cameras. Additionally, the Nokia N8 offers the ability to make HD-quality videos and edit them with an intuitive built-in editing suite. Doubling as a portable entertainment center, you can enjoy HD-quality video with Dolby Digital Plus surround sound by plugging into their home theatre system. Not just a phone, N8 enables access to Web TV services that deliver programs, news and entertainment from channels like CNN, E! Entertainment, Paramount and National Geographic. You can update your status, share location and photos, and view live feeds from Facebook and Twitter in a single app directly on the home screen. Calendar events from social networks can also be transferred to the device calendar. Available from November 2010 at a retailed price of US$500 plus, Nokia N8 is a 3G phone which is available in five colors such as dark grey, silver white, green, blue and orange.

The Nokia C7 is a beautifully crafted smartphone with excellent social networking and sharing capabilities. The 3.5 inch full-touch AMOLED display is ideal for getting live updates from Facebook and Twitter directly to the home screen via the dedicated Social Client. It also enables easy messaging through many popular email accounts including Ovi, as well as quick access to the latest apps from Ovi Store, millions of tracks through Ovi Music and free voiceguided navigation with Ovi Maps. The Nokia C7 will be available in black, metal and brown at an estimated retail price of US$450 plus.

About Nokia
At Nokia, we are committed to connecting people. We combine advanced technology with personalized services that enable people to stay close to what matters to them. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia device – from mobile phones to advanced smartphones and high-performance mobile computers. Today, Nokia is integrating its devices with innovative services through Ovi (www.ovi.com), including music, maps, apps, email and more. Nokia’s NAVTEQ is a leader in comprehensive digital mapping and navigation services, while Nokia Siemens Networks provides equipment, services and solutions for communications networks globally.

Media enquiries
Sokun Y
Tel. +855 77 555 689
Email: ext-sokun.y@nokia.com
Noy Chum
Tel. +855 12 714 211
Email: noy@phibious.com