By Dr. Sovathana Sokhom
On February 14th – 15th, 2014, Dr. Angus D. Munro (Senior Vice-President for Research, Development and Policies), Ms. Malis Por (Vice-President of Operations), Dr. Sokhom Sovathana (Vice- President for Academic Affairs), Dr. Y Ratana (Dean for Undergraduate Studies) attended the First Cambodia Education Research Forum (CERF) held at National Institute of Education. The CERF organized by the Cambodian Higher Education Association (CHEA), in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS). Technical and fi nancial support was provided by UNESCO. H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron (Minister of Education, Youth and Sports) presided over the forum.
CHEA and MoEYS strongly promote research and innovation in Cambodia’s higher education institute that will “contribute to strengthening the quality of education and to share and disseminate research results,” said Excellency Dr. Hang Chuon Naron. The aim was to improve capacity of young researchers in Cambodia.
The purpose of the forum was to raise Cambodian scholars’ awareness of the importance of strengthen research capacity within higher education institutions. And, to promote the importance of collaboration work between higher education institutions in various research fields in order to advance Cambodia’s development.
During the research forum, many Cambodian researchers submitted and presented a variety of topics in the following areas:
Many enthusiastic Cambodian scholars presented their topics and research findings. Each plenary and parallel sessions was packed with enthusiasm participants and presenters. Some of the rooms had no place to sit, thus some of participants had to stand. Given the enthusiasm and the commitment by the young Cambodian scholars, CHEA, MoEYS, and UNESCO would like to organize CERF annually, as a platform for the Cambodian scholars to share and exchange their research subjects.
I strongly believe that given the enthusiasm of Cambodian scholars and the commitment from CHEA, MoEYS, and UNESCO, Cambodia is moving in right direction to cultivate ideas, knowledge exchange that eventually will assist Cambodia’s economic development.
