On December 1, 2010, the University of Cambodia (UC) hosted an information session where representatives from Tulane University Freeman School of Business in New Orleans provided interested students with information regarding the possibilities of earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the only nationally ranked business school in the Gulf South region of the United States of America.
Initial contacts had been established through the U.S. Embassy and, a day earlier, the delegation had met with H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, President of UC and Adviser to Samdech Techo Prime Minister, and others in the UC administration to discuss potential opportunities for UC students to pursue graduate studies at Freeman.
Over 50 UC students attended the information session and learned about the MBA program at Freeman, which was facilitated by Mr. Peter Tan Keo, Vice President for Strategy, Development and International Cooperation. The Freeman School represenatives were Mrs. Margarita Ahumada, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions, and Ms. Peggy A. Babin, Associate Dean.
Mrs. Ahumada said it was the first time Freeman School representatives had ever come to Cambodia to run an informational session during their Southeast Asia recruiting tour, and UC was the first university in Cambodia they visited. She discussed the application process with the students and encouraged them to apply to Freeman.
Associate Dean Babin pointed out two factors that make the Freeman School stand out as a Business School. First, the program is internationally focused and the student population is very diverse, with 15 different countries represented in the student body. Students also visit Buenos Aires, Paris, and Beijing to study with collaborating institutions for a short period as a part of the curriculum. The second aspect of Freeman’s appeal to international students is its experiential learning opportunities. For example, the school offers a portfolio management module in which students, under the guidance of a professor, study the stock market and invest US$2 million of Freeman’s endowment.
At the conclusion of the event, the representatives generously offered a fee waiver to UC students for the Tulane University Freeman School of Business application fee.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for Cambodian students at UC to explore their academic options at a nationally ranked institution in the United States,” said Mr. Keo. “We are honored to make another friend.”
Mr. Keo is currently working with Freeman’s International Department to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two universities.
For more information about Tulane University Freeman School of Business, please visit www.freeman.tulane.edu/desktop.php.
