(Phnom Penh): U-Book Educations Cambodia partners with McGraw Hill, one of the leading educational publishers based in the United States, to bring the “Building Thinking Classrooms” event to Cambodia. The event took place on 1 November 2025, at Novotel Phnom Penh (BKK). This event is a rare opportunity for national and international school leaders, along with education experts across Asia, to exchange experiences and enhance the quality of education in Cambodia. We intend to establish a mutual understanding based on key challenges faced by educators globally via this event.

This special event will be led by Sry Thamarong, Senior Minister in charge of Special Missions. Sann Vathana, Secretary of State for higher education at the MoEYS. With participation from Souris Lefteris, Senior Vice President and MD, K–12 Krystyna Hue, Business Director, K–12 Asia DJ West, Vice President, Professional Services Phone Hein Khant and Eric Hor, Event Organizers and Directors of U-Book Educations Cambodia. Along with school owners, principals, university vice presidents, school administrators, and teachers from various institutions.

H.E Dr Sann Vathana
Secretary of State for higher education at the MoEYS said It is a great honor for me, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, to join you all for this inspiring event Building Thinking Classrooms organized by U-Book Educations Cambodia.

First and foremost, allow me to express my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Eric Hor and the entire team at U- Book Educations Cambodia for the kind invitation and for your continued dedication to improving education in our country. H.E Dr Sann Vathana added

Your work reminds us of a truth we all share - that the prosperity of Cambodia begins with education. But education itself begins in thinking.
When we make the classroom think, we make education truly begin because learning does not start from memorizing the answers; it begins with the courage to ask the questions.
I would also like to extend a very warm welcome to our distinguished guests, especially our friends from McGraw-Hill.
Your presence here today is more than symbolic it is a testimony of trust and partnership in the Cambodian education sector
McGraw-Hill has a proud legacy of providing world- class learning resources from the mathematics and science textbooks that generations of students grew up with, to modern digital platforms that promote critical thinking and creativity.

I must confess, I still prefer the textbook version of Math and Science. Though I may not be a goodreader, I am a Book Lover, because there's something about the smell of the book that makes me want to hold it, turn its pages, and think. There is a quiet inspiration that only a real book can bring, which is the feeling that knowledge is right there in your hands, whether you read it or not.
Once again, to our friends from McGraw-Hill, your collaboration with U-Book Educations Cambodia brings together international experience and local passion helping Cambodian teachers and students access tools that inspire not only learning, but imagination.

This event Building Thinking Classrooms is both timely and visionary.
It challenges us to transform classrooms into places where students collaborate, engage, and think critically.
It reminds us that real learning happens not when students repeat what we say, but when they begin to think for themselves.
If you allow me to share a short personal story - I still remember my Grade 12 Mathematics teacher.
He used to say, "Mathematics is difficult and those who say math is fun, they are liars. And those who claim the exam is easy... they must have cheated."
He said it with a straight face, and none of us dared to laugh. But now I realize he was teaching us something deeper that learning is not supposed to be easy; it's supposed to make us think.

There were no jokes, no ice cream, and certainly no sweet candy in his class only chalk, formulas, and a long stick, if you know what I mean.
About U-Book Educations Cambodia Our company partners with key publishers globally, providing solutions and resources to any key stakeholder in education industry. From textbooks to digital library resources, we intend to fill the gap needed for the added value service in Cambodia. Organizing this event marks an important milestone for U-Book Educations Cambodia — it not only introduces Cambodia to leading global publishers but also provides valuable opportunities for teachers and education professionals to share their experiences. Furthermore, all the educators can explore updated resources available to match their needs.