The University of Cambodia (UC), founded 23 June 2003, is located in Preah Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonized Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security,...

, Kingdom of Cambodia. It is located just south of the Independence Monument, near the Cambodian Red Cross

Cambodian Red Cross

The Cambodian Red Cross is the largest humanitarian organization in Cambodia. Established on the 18 February 1955, it is officially recognized by the Royal Government as the primary auxiliary to the public authorities in humanitarian services...

 Health Centre. Kao Kim Hourn

Kao Kim Hourn

Kao Kim Hourn is a Cambodian politician. He has served as the Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, and established the University of Cambodia in Phnom Penh in 2003.-References:...

, the university president, as well as Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, founded the school after his return to Cambodia from the US. The school uses the American, credit-based system as a model and the programs are taught in the English language.

Programs

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 Sciences 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). It awards Bachelor Degrees (3, 4 or 5 years programmes), Master Degrees and Doctorate Degrees.

UC's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies has established its notability for institutionalizing the academic study of religion.

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. 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." The growth of human knowledge, economic progress, and environmental sustainability are high on the forum's agenda.

Enrollment

The University, a private entity with due accreditation accorded by the Accredition Committee of Cambodia has a total enrollment of 2000 -2999 of both men and women, a non profit organization charges same amount of fess for both national and international students and has a variable staff strength of 50-99. The academic calendar is of three semesters and the campus is in a urban center. It also has an exchange programme.

Scholarships

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,

Resources

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. UC's publishing company is the University of Cambodia Press. As of 2009, the school has been introducing e-learning

E-learning

E-learning comprises all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. The information and communication systems, whether networked learning or not, serve as specific media to implement the learning process...

 for some of its programs.

Notable people

Michael Haas, Professor Emeritus at University of Hawaii

University of Hawaii

The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...

, is the Chairman of the university's International Academic Advisory Board. 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

Khmer Writers' Association

The Khmer Writers' Association was established in 1954 or 1956, and re-established in 1993 as a non-governmental organization. Previously located at 465 Bd. Preah Monawang, it is currently located at Oknha Suor Srun The Khmer Writers' Association (KWA) (alternates: Association of Khmer Writers;;...

.
The Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

 actor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...

 received an honorary doctorate degree from the university in 2009.

Affiliations

• Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhar University (Thailand)
• Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (India)
• Kyung Hee University (Republic of Korea)
• Ohio University
  Ohio University
  Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
  
   (USA)
• Osaka International University
  Osaka International University
  is a private university in Moriguchi, Osaka, Japan. The predecessor of the school was founded in 1929, and it was chartered as a university in 1988....
  
   (Japan)
• Payap University
  Payap University
  Payap University established in 1974, is a private institution founded by the Church of Christ in Thailand. Payap is a founding member of the Association of Private Higher Education Institutions in Thailand, and an active member of the Association of Christian Universities and Colleges in Asia, as...
  
  (Thailand)