| University of Cambodia | |
|---|---|
| Established | June 2003 |
| President | Kao Kim Hourn |
| Location | Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
| Campus | 2 Urban |
| Nickname | UC |
| Affiliations | ACC |
| Website | www.uc.edu.kh |
The University of Cambodia (UC), founded 23 June 2003, is located on Northbridge Road in Sangkat Toek Thla, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. Kao Kim Hourn, the university president, as well as Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia and an Adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen, founded the school after his return to Cambodia from the US.[1] The school uses the American, credit-based system as a model and the programs are taught in the English language.[2]
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The university is organized to provide Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral programs through its six colleges namely, the College of Arts and Humanities, College of Education, College of Law, College of Management, College of Science and Technology, and College of Social Sciences, apart from six specific institutes and centers such as the Institute for Research and Advanced Studies (IRAS), Institute for Technical and Professional Training (ITPT), the Asia Leadership Center (ALC), Center for ASEAN and East Asian Studies (CAEAS), Center for International Studies (CIS), and Center for English Studies (CES).[3] It awards Bachelor Degrees (three terms/year means that these can be done in as little as three years), Master Degrees and Doctorate Degrees.[4]
The school's establishment of the Asian Economic Forum (AEF) in May 2005 and the Asian Faiths Development Dialogue has raised the profile of the university internationally.[2] The AEF acts as an independent forum for "promoting policy dialogue on major issues facing Asia at present and in the future, with the aim of bringing together important policymakers in various fields, as well as leading scholars and researchers, eminent thinkers and educators, and leaders in the private sector, youth and civil society."[5] The growth of human knowledge, economic progress, and environmental sustainability are high on the forum's agenda.[5]
The University, a private entity with due accreditation accorded by the Accredition Committee of Cambodia has a total enrollment of about 5,000 with both men and women. It is a non profit organization and has a variable staff strength of 50-99. [4]
The University offers three types of scholarships at the undergraduate level which are both aimed at excellence in scholastic performance to set standards and also to encourage needy students who have shown promise for higher education after high school. These scholarships are categorized as; the Academic Excellence Scholarships for outstanding students as the name suggests which are merit based with specific stipulations on performance; Scholastic Aptitude Scholarships specific for students who have the desire and aptitude to purse university education but lack financial support and hence 50 % fees is exempt ; and Partial Scholarships are for those students who are judged to be suitable for further studies but can not afford to pay the fees,[6]
With a collection of more than 50,000 books, magazines, newspapers, and periodicals, the university's Toshu Fukami Library is considered to be one of the best in Cambodia.[7] UC's publishing company is the University of Cambodia Press. As of 2009, the school has been introducing e-learning for some of its programs.[8]
Michael Haas, Professor Emeritus at University of Hawaii, is the Chairman of the university's International Academic Advisory Board.[9] UC student Noun Pichsoudeny, the youngest student writer in Cambodia and the author of four published novels, is also a member of the Khmer Writers' Association.[10] The Hong Kong actor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Jackie Chan received an honorary doctorate degree from the university in 2009.[11][12]