Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Education ministry urges higher-institutional research investment

Education ministry urges higher-institutional research investment

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A woman read books in National Library. Education ministry urges public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) to continue investment in infrastructure, including libraries, experimentation equipment and research facilities. Hong Menea

Education ministry urges higher-institutional research investment

Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron urged public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) to continue investment in infrastructure, including libraries, experimentation equipment and research facilities, noting that the number of the Kingdom’s HEIs remains low compared to neighbouring countries.

The call came at the fourth national research forum on “Promotion of research and innovation for socio-economic development”, held in Phnom Penh on October 20. The forum brought the rectors of universities and researchers together.

It was designed to serve as a network that would enable policy makers, researchers, students, entrepreneurs and members of the public to discuss ideas and share knowledge in order to promote research and innovation in Cambodia.

Presiding over the forum, Chuon Naron said educational research plays an important role at all levels, from kindergarten level to higher education.

“Countries that spend a lot on research and development enhance the quality of their education and orient their economies faster,” he added.

He said the ministry is now in talks with the World Bank to develop projects that would enhance the quality and capacity of HEIs. These new projects would be sound investment in educational structure. He also urged the public and private sectors to invest in this sector.

“In terms of the development of infrastructure, when compared to neighbouring countries, it remains limited. Libraries, experimentation equipment and labs all require improvement,” he said.

He said research in HEIs must be linked to economic development, so Cambodia’s developmental goals need to be examined.

“For example, the agricultural sector lacks companies that are linked to higher education institutions. We believe this forum is a starting point to think about what the direction of Cambodia’s economic development should be, and how we can orient research and training,” he added.

He commended the ministry’s Department of Scientific Research for holding the forum, which linked this work with Cambodia’s socio-economic development. The forum focused on the direction of research and research priorities in HEIs, enabling each institution to set its own priorities and specialties.

Seng Bun Thoeun, vice-rector of the National University of Management (NUM), said the ministry had encouraged NUM to establish three more faculties and put them into operation for years.

“In response to the minister’s suggestion, students can see books in the library in person and online. We have extensive physical infrastructure,” he said.

Mak Ngoy, director-general for higher education at the ministry, said the forum was designed to provide opportunities for Cambodian researchers to disseminate their findings and target future projects.

He said research would be crucial for the socio-economic development and would play an important role in helping the country achieve its vision of becoming a high-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050.

“To promote research in higher education, we need to invest more in human resources, physical infrastructure and research packages,” he said.

The ministry has provided research funding to both public and private HEIs through two projects – one which ran from 2011 to 2017, and one which is currently underway. The latest project began in 2018 and will be completed in 2024.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the