A glimpse into the professional world: first-hand encounters with the worlds of business and architecture
Following a visit by Children of the Mekong to the offices of Archetype Cambodia, Audrey Guilbaud – one of our “Bamboos” based in Phnom Penh – wrote this article.
Justine, driven by her commitment and determination to support the charity’s mission, is keen to offer students meaningful and inspiring career opportunities.
Children of the Mekong supports young people from education through to their first job, ensuring they enter professional life with confidence and a clear sense of purpose, fully equipped to contribute to their communities and shape their own futures.
At the Dr Christophe Mérieux Centre in Phnom Penh, company visits are held annually to help our students familiarise themselves with the realities of the working world. These visits offer valuable opportunities to engage with professionals, ask questions, and develop a deeper understanding of the professional world.
As part of this initiative, on Thursday 27 February 2025, Archetype Cambodia welcomed around fifteen Children of the Mekong students. They gained invaluable insight into the company’s operations and structure. The visit offered a unique opportunity to meet the teams, witness the design process firsthand, and explore the cutting-edge tools and technologies that bring concepts to life.
The students were then given the rare opportunity to visit the National Assembly of Cambodia, one of Archetype’s most recent and prestigious projects. For those studying architecture, it was a truly eye-opening experience — a chance to witness how abstract ideas evolve into fully functional spaces, carefully designed to meet real-world needs.
We are deeply grateful to @Archetype Cambodia for their warm welcome and the care they put into organising this visit. It was a memorable and enriching experience for our students.
A heartfelt thank you also goes to Van Vanndeth, a former student of the centre, for his unwavering support and inspiring dedication to the younger generation. He freely gives his time to mentor, train and encourage students, and remains actively involved in a wide range of initiatives.
In December 2024, he took part in a career forum at the centre and more recently returned to share his expertise in Revit software, helping students gain both confidence and proficiency. His commitment continues to inspire them to develop their skills and embrace new challenges.
His dedication is a powerful reminder of what Children of the Mekong stands for: sharing and passing on the opportunities one has been fortunate to receive. Such commitment is a true source of pride and joy.
