What does it offer?

The Human Resources University has five faculties: arts, humanities and language; law and political sciencel; social science and economics;business and tourism; and science and technology. Each faculty offers bachelor, masters and doctorate degrees and offers courses throughout the year in four sessions - morning, afternoon, evening and weekend.

Business and Tourism is the most popular faculty, offering majors including accounting and finance, marketing, hotel management and management. The English literature major from the arts, humanities and languages faculty is also popular, as are the economic development and banking and finance majors under the social science and economics faculty.

Running the show

The university's president, Dr Seng Phally, is a graduate from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia. In 1998, he opened a small local organisation called the Human Resources Development Institute with a friend. The institute became the Human Resources University in 2005. He has also  been deputy director of Cabinet for Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng.

Professors

All professors at the university must be at least 28 years old and have two years or more teaching experience. They must also have attained a higher educational degree than they teach. For example, only professors with a master's degree can teach bachelor's programs and a PhD is required for professors of  master's degrees courses.

Admission

Around 3,500 students study at the university every year. They must have a high school diploma to be accepted, and they must pass each level of study before progressing to the next.  

Fees, scholarships and grants

Total course fees are $270 for the first year of study, rising to $290 for the second year. Fees for the third and fourth year are $350 for a bachelor's degree. From next year, fees for the first year will increase to $300. A master's degree costs $700 and a doctorate $2500.

The university recognises students with good academic records, and full or partial scholarships are given to deserving students in each faculty. Scholars are selected based on their GPA and their tuition fees are partly or fully funded by the university. The university gives more than 100 scholarships to students every year and also offers certificates of admiration for outstanding students.

Onwards and upwards

Around 85 percent of Human Resources University students find jobs when they graduate. They tend to work in NGOs, private companies or for the government. Many find their way into the banking sector.

The future

Rapidly growing demand for tertiary education in Cambodia means the university's major challenge is finding space to accomodate new students. It currently operates out of two buildings, but plans to build a third on its campus next year. words and photos by Mom Kunthear

 

From the halls of the Human Resouces University

Ek Monosen, vice rector:

"I cannot say my university is better or worse than the other universities in Cambodia, but I am proud to say that Human Resources University is a strong university. Why do I think that? Because the university rector is a person who has the ability to lead the staff and students and help them be good citizens."  

Chhum Sruo, 26, fourth-year student:

"The things I like best about this university are that it teaches good morals, strong discipline and high knowledge. What I don't like is that the toilets are no good and the parking space is crowded, When I graduate I am sure that the knowledge I get from here will help me find a good job.

Yam Sam Orn, 23, third-year student:

"For me, a good university is not just one that looks good and is new and big, but rather is a university that has teachers with the ability to educate their students. I am studying accounting and finance and I think studying at Human Resources University will help me get a high-paying job as an accountant. 

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Contacts

Building 2, Street 163, Olympic commune, Chamkamorn district, Phnom Penh. Tel: 023 987 826, 023 994 439

E-mail: [email protected]

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY MOM KUNTHEAR