With the establishment of the Khmer Republic in 1970, the Royal Khmer University became the Phnom Penh University. Between 1965 and 1975 there were nine faculties, namely the Ecole Normale Supérieure (Higher Normal College), Letters and Humanities, Science, Pharmacy, Law and Economics, Medicine and Dentistry, Commerce, Pedagogy, and the Languages Institute.
The
period of 1975-1979 saw the closure and destruction of schools, the decimation
of the teaching service and the cessation of formal education. During this
period the Phnom Penh University, as well as all other educational institutions
in Cambodia, were closed down. Under this regime an education was perceived
as a dangerous asset - hence the educated were targeted, and most of the University's
faculty were killed. Of the educated people who survived, few remained in
Cambodia once the borders reopened.Deserted for almost five years, the abandoned
campus became another victim of the grim civil war. This period was a dark
time for education and progress in Cambodia and produced many repercussions
that are still being felt today.
In
1980, the Ecole Normale Supérieure (Higher Normal College) reopened,
again teaching predominantly in French. In 1981, the Institute of Foreign
Languages (IFL) began, initially training students to become Vietnamese and
Russian teachers. The purpose of both colleges was to provide surviving graduates
of primary school or above with crash courses in teaching.
In 1988, the college and the IFL merged to create Phnom Penh University, and in 1996 the name was changed to the Royal University of Phnom Penh.
During
the past decade, the University has grown and now includes the Faculty of
Science, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the Institute of Foreign
Languages. In 2001, the University began its first postgraduate degrees with
the Graduate Diploma and Master's Courses in Tourism Development.
Co-operation with Royal Government of Cambodia
The support of the Royal Government of Cambodia, particularly the Ministry
of Education, Youth and Sport (MOEYS) is critical to the life of RUPP. All
degrees and course programs at RUPP have been recommended and supported by
the Government, which also covers electricity and utility costs, provides
staff salaries (approximately US$25/month), and provides important resources
such as computers. The Prime Minister and other government representatives
have also participated in the University's graduation, cultural and opening
ceremonies.
(Back
to Top)
The dissemination of knowledge, critical thinking, cultural and environmental awareness and the teaching of ethical and peaceful values to students and staff enriches the quality of life of the Cambodian people and enables them to respond efficiently to the needs and conditions of a changing society.
RUPP
prepares students to become effective members of Cambodian society, with the
professional capability to apply, develop and enrich the sciences, technology
and arts.
(Back
to Top)
RUPP
ultimately envisages providing quality education to students who will then
use these assets to build and improve Cambodian society, economics, industry
and culture.
In order to achieve this end, RUPP's vision for the future include:
- To develop courses that give graduates the appropriate
knowledge and skills that will more directly meet the needs of the Cambodian
community, whether in the private, government or non-government sector.
- To develop and update the research capability, teaching
competence and confidence of the University staff through further training.
- To develop more NGO, government and industry-partnerships, not only to provide
graduates with work experience and jobs, but also to provide staff the opportunity
to conduct community research that is valuable for the development of government
and NGO policies and activities and the development of new products.
- To obtain greater self-sufficiency and sustainability,
whether through providing more fee-paying courses, industry-partnerships,
or other methods. (Back
to Top)
