History

After coming back to Cambodia from the United States in the the early 1990's, discussions with many academics and other intellectuals, both Cambodian and foreign, led Dr.Kao Kim Hourn to conclude that there was an absolute need for a reputable university which sought to open up the world at large to the next generation of bright young Cambodians, to compensate for the depredations suffered by their parents. This required the design and implementation of programs which broadened the students' perspectives (especially necessary given the limitations of the education offered by high schools – another consequence of our recent history); to this end, he selected the American, credit-based system as a model. Furthermore, he realised that, to broaden the students' outlook, it was necessary to teach these programs in the medium of English: not only would this make them more marketable in a globalising world, but it also expanded the pool of potential teachers, including through collaborative exchange agreements with universities elsewhere in Asia and beyond.

As a result of these discussions, together with the input of his own money and the donation of money and books, computers, and other materials by others, the University of Cambodia was established. It was officially opened by Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen on 23 June, 2003. Originally located in two buildings just south of the Independence Monument, leases had to be taken out on other buildings nearby in order to accommodate the numbers of students.  

The University's second Graduation Ceremony was held on September 29, 2006, with H.E. Pech Chamnang (Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports) as the guest-of-honour: a total of 49 Associate students, 57 Bachelor's students and 46 Master's students received their degree certificates. Also, Honorary Doctorates were conferred upon H.E. Sok An (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers), Professor Katherine Marshall (former Counselor to the President of the World Bank) and Mr Paul Heng (founder and of Unigen Corporation).

 

The University also offers short courses in various non-degree programmes. For example, the Centre for English Studies offers the Fastrax intensive programme in English,as well as various other programmes; and the Leadership and Career Development Centre. We are also an accredited test-centre for the International Computer Driving Licence, and offer courses in relevant to this and other aspects of IT.

The University has also sought to reach out to the general public. Apart from making resources and facilities such as the Toshu Fukami Library available to all, the University is also a venue for lectures, workshops and fora which are open to the public. For example, the University has organised the East Asia Young Leaders' Forum (July 9, 2004, when Honorary Doctorates were also confered upon Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen and Rikhi Thakral, a Singaporean businessman and philanthropist); conferences on Cambodia’s Higher Education Today: Enhancing Quality and Building Partnerships (April 30, 2004)and Human Rights and Development in Cambodia (December 17-18, 2004, and 12-13 July, 2005)

In addition, further bridge-building with the Cambodian community at large is being achieved through the generosity of various donors by: scholarships and fellowships to selected needy students, to allow them to pursue their studies with us; and the administration of the Dr. Handa Compensation and Memorial Fund, with awards of small sums of money to selected families whose members suffered at the hands of the Khmer Rouge regime.

 

The organisation of conferences such as the annual Asian Economic Forum and the Asian Faiths Development Dialogue have also helped to establish the University on the international scene.

To further its international outreach for the ultimate benefit of our students, the University has also signed Memoranda of Understanding with various universities overseas: for example, Ohio University (who have helped to get the University's Leadership and Career Development Centre running). Discussions with various other universities are on-going.