The University of Cambodia has created five distinct awards to recognize noteworthy individuals: Honorary Doctorate Award, the Distinguished Fellowship Award, Distinguished Professorship Award, Distinguished Ambassador Award, and Honorary Membership of the Board of Trustees.
Honorary Doctoral Degree Recipients
Honorary Doctorate Awards are presented to influential globally-minded citizens who have obtained many successes, which we seek to honor and bestow prestige upon the recipients. They may serve to show gratitude to existing benefactors of the University; or to recognize the outstanding or distinctive achievements of others in their respective fields, with the aim of promoting further, mutually beneficial with the University
As of December 2025, The University of Cambodia has awarded 84 Honorary Doctoral Degrees to distinguished individuals from across the globe.
2004
Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen
Dr. Rikhi Thakral
H.E. Masajuro Shiokawa
2005
H.E. Keat Chhon
Lord George Carey of Clifton
Dr. Takayoshi Matsui
2006
H.E. Sok An
Prof. Katherine Marshall
Mr. Paul Wenson Heng
2007
H.E. Rho Jun Hyong
H.E. Tea Banh
H.E. Cham Prasidh
H.E. Koji Omi
Mr. Yohei Sasakawa
Mr. Richard E. Dyck
2008
Samdech Kittiprithbindit Bun Rany Hun Sen
H.E. Jose de Venecia Jr.
H.E. Dr. Horst Posdorf
2009
Prof. Aaron J. Ciechanover
Mr. Akishige Tada
Dr. Achyuta Samanta
Mr. Jackie Chan
2010
H.E. José Manuel Ramos-Horta
H.E. Dr. Marty Natalegawa
Mr. Oliver Stone
Prof. Françoise Barré-Sinoussi
Prof. David Jonathan Gross
Dr. Eric S. Maskin
Prof. Torsten Nils Wiesel
2011
H.E. Sichan Siv
H.E. Khieu Kanharith
Prof. Ito Kenichi
Dr. Gregory Alan Emery
2013
Dr. Ralph A Cossa
2014
Prof. David Cohen
Mr. Wang Jiemin
Oknha Dr. Chear Ratana
2015
H.E. Dr. Philipp Rosler
2016
Prof. Din Merican
2017
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes
H.E. Dr. S. C. Jamir
2018
Justice Dalveer Bhandari
2019
H.E. Dr. Dionisio da Costa Babo Soares
Dato Sri Prof. Dr. Tahir, MBA
H.E. CHEA Thory
H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
H.E. Chuon Sovann
Dr. M.A. Bintoro Dibyoseputro
H.E. Mr. Rudy Huang
Mr. Adi Sugandi
Ms. Natasya
2020
Prof. Jeffrey Cheah
Prof. Wing Thye Woo
Prof. Jeffrey Sachs
H.E. General Kittibindit Hing Bunhieng
H.E. General Eth Sarath
H.E. Sry Thamarong
Mr. Rath Dararoth
Mr. Kam Chin Seng
2021
H.E. Gen. Yun Min
H.E. Lt. Gen. Phok Chantha
H.E. Dr. Han Fangming
H.E. Sum Piseth
2022
H.E. Lt. Gen. John Murray Sanderson, AC
Professor Klaus Schwab
2023
Ambassador Nico Barito
Mr. Pudjianto Gondosasmito, SE
H.E. Vincent Meriton
2024
H.E. General (Ret.) Dr. H. Wiranto S.H. OK. M.M
H.E. R. Ay Putri Kuswisnu Wardani
H.E. Dr. Chiv Keng
Mr. Soedomo Mergonoto
H.E. Heang Makara
2025
H.E. Pov Somnang
Mr. Liu Miao
Mr. Koy Kieng Ann
Mr. IR. Wong Budi Setiawan, MM
Mr. Ronald Kumalaputra
Ms. Grace Tahir
Mr. IR. Hendra Mulyono
Mr. Francis Wong
H.E. Ambassador Liu Chi
Mr. Marcos Ma
Mr. Pov Kaijie
Distinguished Fellowship Award
Distinguished Fellowship Awards are presented to those individuals whose philanthropic activities have helped positively impact Cambodian society. These individuals hold a strong commitment to supporting vulnerable groups and marginalized communities, thereby contributing to the equitable development of the Cambodian nation.
In addition to their dedicated support to achieving the mission and vision of The University of Cambodia, distinguished fellows exhibit an impressive commitment to bettering society, promoting peace and fostering sustainable development.
They have provided valuable contributions to society through social work and aligning their business, educational and/or artistic endeavors with the sustainable development efforts of the regional community.
This award was presented to Dr. Rikhi Thakral in 2016.
Distinguished Professorship Award
Distinguished Professorship Awards are bestowed on those scholars who have significantly impacted the academic world and show a willingness to cooperate with UC. They have sustained excellence in scholarship and are well-respected in their field. They have shown the highest level of dedication to pedagogy, while exhibiting extraordinary leadership.
These outstanding individuals have significantly contributed to their community and society at large, and have demonstrated friendship and support to The University of Cambodia. There is an implicit commitment to continue working with UC to develop teaching and research, through their own involvement and that of others in their network.
UC has conferred this prestigious award on four individuals:
• Professor Achyuta Samanta
• Reverend Dr. Ishmael Noko.
• Dr. Rikhi Thakral
• Dato’ Sri Prof. Dr. Tahir, MBA
• H.E. Dr. José Manuel Ramos-Horta
Distinguished Ambassador Award
The Distinguished Ambassador Award recognizes the works of the ambassadors from different countries accredited to Cambodia or Cambodia’s ambassadors accredited to other countries for their respective role in the strengthening, deepening and expansion of bilateral relations. Recipients have advocated friendship, partnership, and cooperation in various fields between the two countries or between Cambodia and other international organizations, and this award acknowledges the dedication, commitment and contribution of each ambassador to the building and advancement of the bilateral ties, amity, and cooperation between the two countries or between Cambodia and other entities.
The Award has been conferred on two individuals in 2019:
• H.E. Mr. Christopher B. Montero, Ambassador of the Philippines to Cambodia
• H.E. Mrs. Felicidade de Sousa Guterres, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the Kingdom of Cambodia
Honorary Membership of the Board of Trustees
Honorary Members of the Board of Trustees aim to raise the profile of The University of Cambodia by leading fundraising efforts and finding creative ways to engage stakeholders. Through regular contact with UC, these members seek new opportunities for the University to grow and develop.
Dato’ Sri Prof. Dr. Tahir, MBA, was awarded in 2019.
Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, was awarded in 2020.
Prof. Wing Thye Woo, was awarded in 2020.
Dr. Rikhi Thakral, was awarded in 2020.
Mr. Paul Wenson Heng, was awarded in 2024.
H.E. Ambassador Nico Barito, was awarded in 2024.
