Program Overview
The Australia-Cambodia Cross Borders Challenge (CBC) is a pioneering initiative, designed to engage Cambodian students studying in Australia in shaping Cambodia’s sustainable development future. The program challenges participants to transform their academic knowledge and lived experiences into practical, innovative solutions that address real-world issues affecting Cambodia.
Through a cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary approach, The Australia-Cambodia Cross Borders Challenge (CBC) encourages participants to form diverse teams that bring together Cambodian, Australian, and other international students particularly from ASEAN countries. This inclusive format not only fosters intercultural understanding but also enhances the quality and relevance of proposed solutions by integrating a range of academic disciplines, cultural perspectives, and collaborative approaches.
By bridging theory and practice, the CBC promotes an ecosystem of innovation that transcends national and academic boundaries. It empowers students to actively contribute to Cambodia’s sustainable development while establishing meaningful connections with peers and mentors across institutions and geographies.
Program Objectives
This activity aims to:
- Provide a practical avenue for students to apply their academic knowledge and ingenuity to real-world challenges relevant to Cambodia’s development.
- Connect students with the startup ecosystems in both Australia and Cambodia.
- Provide access to a supportive network of mentors and business leaders.
- Foster meaningful engagement with Australian peers and other international students through project-based activities.
The Challenge
Participating teams will identify a pressing challenge relevant to Cambodia’s sustainable development, conduct research into its context and implications, and develop a well-founded, actionable solution. Each submission will be assessed on its:
- Clarity in defining the problem and its significance
- Depth of evidence-based research and contextual analysis
- Innovation and creativity in solution design
- Feasibility and sustainability of implementation
- Potential to create meaningful impact within the Cambodian context
Challenges may address a wide range of sectors including, but not limited to: education, public health, technology, agriculture, environmental sustainability, inclusive economic development, and fostering future growth businesses that contribute to sustainable development. Participants are encouraged to draw upon their academic expertise and collaborative experiences to co-create solutions that are not only visionary but achievable within Cambodia’s unique social and economic landscape.
Selection Process
Round 1: Initial Submission & Mentoring Phase
Applicants are required to submit a concise proposal (maximum 5 pages) that includes
- A clear statement of the challenge they aim to address
- Background/contextual analysis of the issue
- A proposed innovative solution, including rationale and potential impact
- Preliminary thoughts on feasibility and implementation
Evaluation Criteria (Round 1):
- Problem Definition (20%): The proposal clearly identifies a specific challenge and effectively articulates its relevance to Cambodia’s development priorities. The issue should be well-defined and contextualised within Cambodia’s social, environmental, or economic landscape.
- Research & Analysis (20%): The proposal demonstrates a strong understanding of the chosen issue, supported by relevant, evidence-based insights. The background analysis should reflect critical thinking and awareness of the local context.
- Innovation & Creativity (20%): The proposed solution is original, inventive, and demonstrates a novel approach to addressing the identified challenge. Submissions that apply interdisciplinary thinking or introduce new perspectives are strongly encouraged.
- Feasibility (20%): The proposal outlines a solution that is practical and implementable within Cambodia’s unique context. Consideration should be given to scalability, sustainability, and resource requirements.
- Team Composition & Collaboration Potential (10%): Teams must consist of 3 to 5 members, with at least one Cambodian student currently enrolled in an Australian higher education institution. This criterion assesses the team’s ability to work collaboratively and effectively toward a shared goal.
- Impact (10%) : The proposal demonstrates the potential to create meaningful and measurable impact whether social, environmental, or economic within Cambodia. Strong proposals will outline both short- and long-term benefits.
Up to ten (10) teams will be selected to participate in a structured four-week mentoring program. Each team will be paired with mentors from Cambodia and/or Australia to refine their proposal into a more viable and context-specific solution.
Round 2: Final Proposal Submission (5 Team Selection)
Following the mentoring period, all ten teams will submit their refined proposals. Based on a second round of review, five (5) teams will be shortlisted to present their final pitches at a live event in Melbourne.
Round 3: Final Pitching
The five shortlisted teams will be invited to a final physical pitching event held in mid-July in Melbourne. During this event, each team will present their solution to a panel of expert judges. Based on these presentations, the judges will select the top three winning teams. These teams will receive awards and may be offered extended mentoring and support opportunities (details to be confirmed).
Please note: Travel support will be provided on a needs basis for teams located outside of Melbourne.
Prize Details
The winning team will receive two PRO-PASS tickets to SXSW Sydney 2025, held from 13 to 19 October 2025. As part of the prize, flights and accommodation will be covered.
Please note: local transport and personal expenses will be the responsibility of the winners.
Program Timeline
- Initial submissions due: May 24, 2025
- Top 10 team Announcement May 31, 2025
- Mentoring period: June 3-28, 2025
- Submission of final proposal due: June 28, 2025
- Announcement of the top 5 team: July 1st, 2025
- Final pitching: July 19, 2025
Further questions please contact this email: leli.setiono@australiaawardscambodia.org