Higher Education and Globalization in South East Asia: Universities in the Kingdom of Cambodia Alexander Jun, Ph.D. Professor of Higher Education Azusa Pacific University

Changing landscape of tertiary education in Cambodia Overview—Kingdom of Cambodia Report on Tertiary Education Trends Challenges Research Design Introduction: NPIC

Overview: Kingdom of Cambodia

Country overview Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia bordered by Thailand, Vietnam and Laos 80,462 square miles 14 million people 90% Khmer 5% is Vietnamese 1% is Chinese 4% other ethnic groups The official language: Khmer The country’s currency: Riel; U.S. dollar Pol Pot (Khmer Rouge)

NGO Projects in Cambodia by Sector

Number of Higher Education Institutions 60 or more HEI’s 35 Universities 26 Institute/independent school 22 Public 40 Private (as of 2007 and counting…)

Cambodian Higher Education System Academies, Universities, Institutes or Independent Schools Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) Department of Higher Education (DHE)

Role of Department of Higher Education Develop policy and strategy for higher education sector License HEIs for their operations Assist HEIs to develop academic programs and managment to help meet accreditation Improve quality and efficiency of higher education nationwide

Overview of Cambodian Higher Education Total Enrollment 97,524 Gender Breakdown: Female 31% Male 69% Private Universities: 58% (2006)

University Teaching Faculty Total Number 3,605 (2004) Female Faculty: 16% (2004) Teaching with Masters Degrees: 2700 (2006) Teachers with Doctorates: 416

Access & Equity to Higher Education Participation in HEIs in Cambodia is low by international standards Enrollment is concentrated in a few academic disciplines, such as business management Current enrollment patterns show significant urban/rural and gender disparities

Challenges in Quality Sufficient quality assurance systems have not been developed yet. The low quality of many programs allows students to undertake multiple fulltime degrees. Growth in HEI’s have lead to challenges in quality assurance

Challenges for College Graduates HEIs produce more graduates than the economy can absorb Graduate skills are often not matched to the needs of the country.

Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) Rapid Growth of HEI’s since 2002 As of August…2007 22 public and 40 private HEIs Royal University of Phnom Penh-Public Royal University of Law & Economics -Public Norton University (1996) Pannasastra University University of Cambodia National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia

Pilot Case Study National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia Pilot Case (Yin, 2003) Convenience Access Duration: 2 Days (1 week in Phnom Penh) Interviews (President) Observations Campus Overview Residence Halls Classrooms

National Polytechnic institute of Cambodia Opened: 2005 Two year technical and trade school Joint Venture Between Two Countries: South Korea and Cambodia

Dec. o6, 2007

1. Academic System Regular Courses ( 4 & 2 years ) Division Major 2005 - 6 No of Students 2006 - 7 2007 - 8 4 2 Mechanics CAD/ CAM (Mechanics) 32 21 16 12 7 Industrial Facility(Air-Con) 33 13 Automobile repair 29 24 15 Electricity & Electronics Electricity 14 28 31 35 39 22 27 18 Construction 64 63 11 IT 17 Tourism 9 Sub-Total 46 185(Grad.) 207 107 176 103 Total 314 279 In the long run, this school must earn at least average returns and provide investors with average returns if they are to survive. If a firms earns below average returns, investors will withdraw their funds and place them in others earning at least average returns. The role of institutional investors!!!!

Special Courses ( short-term Courses ) IT Training Program Training for overseas employment Korean Language Programs Training for job holders English Language Programs Training Committed by companies Mechanical Engineering Program Training for trainers in NGO Electrical Engineering Program

Faculty Distribution Nationality Classification Faculty Administrative Staff The others Total Cambodian Government 42 12 54 Contract 27 23 33 83 Sub-Total 69 35 137 Foreigner Jeonju Univ. 18 KICOS 2 KOICA 22 91 159

Challenges to governance 9 different ministries and agencies (& private institutions) Limited coordination at national policy level. Management and staff appointments are generally made by the central government Limited transparency in staff selection process Higher education sector faces a shortage Need educational leaders, planners, and managers to fill the position of retiring senior educators Computerized management information system has not yet been established

Challenges to Privatization and globalization U.S. Model of Education One Size Does Not Fit A Satellite Model vs. Collaboration Linguistic Challenges (Cultural Integrity) Cambodia University Revenue Generation Increase in International Student Tuition

Final Thoughts What is the Public Good? Role of Higher Education in Failed States? How to Embrace Cultural Integrity? Find Your Story Help Others Tell Their Story