Graduate School of Science

Introduction

(A photo of STEM Building taken from Building A, where the Graduate School of Science is based) 

The Graduate School of Science at Royal University of Phnom Penh is a leading school for advanced science education, scientific research, and innovation in Cambodia. The school offers nine Master’s programs in Biology, Biodiversity Conservation, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Information Technology Engineering, Data Science and Engineering, Climate Change, and Biotechnology and Food Technology, as well as five PhD programs in Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Data Science and Engineering.

Supported by 18 specialized scientific laboratories and a multidisciplinary academic and administrative team, the Graduate School of Science seeks to promote high-quality graduate education, cutting-edge research, international collaboration, and technology-driven innovation. Its research facilities cover diverse fields including advanced materials, nanotechnology, photonics, environmental science, biotechnology, renewable energy, analytical chemistry, and computational sciences. See more at https://srl.rupp.edu.kh

(See the list of the Research Laboratories)

Through its strong commitment to research excellence, graduate training, scientific development, and community service provision, the Graduate School of Science plays an important role in advancing knowledge, developing skilled human resources, and contributing to Cambodia’s sustainable scientific and technological progress. Especially, by following the FutureFit Educational Framework (FEF) for outcome-based education in higher education developed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the Graduate School of Science at the Royal University of Phnom Penh has begun enhancing its graduate programs through transformative curriculum development, innovative pedagogy, and holistic assessment. As part of this initiative, the school has recently been launching two graduate programs in Physics and Chemistry under the FEF and continuing to improve other programs to place stronger emphasis on outcome-based education.
 

1. Vision

To be a leading hub of scientific excellence in Cambodia and beyond, producing innovative research, skilled professionals, and transformative solutions that contribute to sustainable development and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.

2. Mission

GSS’s mission is to contribute to national, regional, and global sustainable development and preservation of national cultural and natural heritage by: 

  • Advancing Knowledge and Innovation: Provide a rigorous education and support cutting-edge research to push the boundaries of science and technology.
  • Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Encourage collaboration across disciplines and develop future leaders who will address global challenges with impactful solutions.
  • Bridging Academia and Real-World Applications: Create a dynamic learning environment that connects academic research with practical applications, promoting diversity, community engagement, and real-world relevance.

3. Strategic Goals

  1. Academic Program Improvement
  2. Reliable Research Capability 
  3. Resource Adequacy and Sustainability

RUPP strives to maintain its status as a flagship university in all areas of its academic practices by focusing on student-centered, active teaching and learning methods, quality education, a strong niche, and a reputation in STEM disciplines. In line with it, the Graduate School of Science (GSS) focuses on becoming a national leader in scientific research and graduate education, and strive to have its stand in the regional scientific leadership, by fostering innovation and addressing Cambodia’s socio-economic challenges through advanced science and technology.

In the short period of the new strategic plan 2025-2030, RUPP’s GSS plans to review and consolidate the existing programs aiming to identify the niche in each program area and to strengthen the programs to achieve the established internal and national quality improvement indicators and towards a regional/international recognition by the end of strategic plan implementation. 

RUPP’s GSS will also strengthen its academic environment, research capability, and quality assurance management to improve its internal governance and management and strengthen its financial health and sustainability. The following illustrate the RUPP’s GSS focus in the strategic plan.


Social Media: https://web.facebook.com/rupp.gss

Graduate Programs

Testing Programs

Research Laboratories

Testing laboratories

Research Centers

Testing Centers

PhD Program in Chemistry

1. Introduction

Established in August 2022, the PhD Program in Chemistry plays a pivotal role in supporting Cambodia’s national development priorities. The program is closely aligned with key national policies, including the Pentagon Strategy – Phase I, the Industrial Development Policy of Cambodia, and the Policy on Research and Development in the Education Sector. Guided by its goal of achieving the National Standards by 2029, the program is undertaking curriculum modernization through the FutureFit Education Framework for Outcome-Based Education (FEF-OBE) to strengthen student learning outcomes and research excellence. The program is committed to developing a highly skilled scientific workforce by producing graduates with advanced knowledge, research competency, and practical experience to contribute effectively to critical sectors such as food, healthcare, materials science, and industry.

2. Vision

To be a leading program in chemical research towards excellence and innovation.

3. Missions

Mission 1: To advance knowledge and skills to support cutting-edge research that expands the frontiers of chemical science and technology.
Mission 2: To cultivate future leaders who tackle global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative solutions.
Mission 3: To bridge academia and society by creating a dynamic learning environment that transforms scientific engagement into real-world applications and benefits.

4. Goals
Goal 1: Advance Frontier Chemical Research and Innovation: To drive the creation of new knowledge, technologies, and methodologies in analytical, materials, and applied chemistry, leading to innovations that address emerging challenges in food, water, electronics, and point-of-care diagnostics.
Goal 2: Develop Competent, Ethical, and Future Research Leaders: To cultivate graduates with strong research competencies, 21st-century skills, scientific integrity, and the ability to engage in lifelong learning and interdisciplinary collaboration to generate sustainable solutions for society.
Goal 3: Strengthen Knowledge Transfer and Societal Impact: To enhance linkages between academia, industry, government, and communities by transforming scientific research into practical applications, innovations, and services that support economic, environmental, and public-health development.

5. Graduate Attribute
The RUPP graduate attributes are underpinned in all courses that we want our graduates who will:
- Be equipped for ongoing learning and inquiry into their personal development for professional practice, opportunities to acquire professional and cultural skills that enable them to engage thoughtfully and effectively in the workplace context that they encounter at work and socially.
- Communicate effectively with the body of knowledge that underpins professional practice and the ability to make informed decisions for achieving goals.
- Commit to fulfilling the actions and responsibilities of a professional and well-rounded citizen and take responsibility for self-management using skills that contribute to personal and career satisfaction and development.
- Have enhanced cultural, social, and ethical awareness and skills, consistent with a positive role as responsible and engaged members of local, national, regional, and professional communities


6. Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)
+ PEO1: To produce qualified researchers for analytical and materials chemistry in food, water, electronics, and/or point-of-care diagnostic devices that meet the local needs.
+ PEO2: To produce graduates with 21st century skills who are competent in research and development for societal needs and to be lifelong learners.
+ PEO3: To produce system thinkers who can solve complex problems related to food, water, electronics, and/or point-of-care diagnostic devices. 
+ PEO4: To produce graduates resilient to the rapid change of society.

7. Program Learning Outcomes
i.    Knowledge Domain (MD1)
•    PLO1 – Knowledge (MD1, LD1, MKC6): Independently create innovative research methods or solutions addressing complex challenges in analytical and materials chemistry for food, water, electronic, and/or point-of-care diagnostic applications.
ii.    Cognitive Domain (MD2)
•    PLO2 – Cognitive Skills (MD2, LD2, C5): Evaluate complex problems using scientific reasoning and creative thinking to develop innovative solutions addressing needs in food, water, electronic, and/or point-of-care diagnostic applications. 
iii.    Psychomotor Domain (MD3)
•    PLO3 – Psychomotor Skills (MD3, LD3, P6): Operate sophisticated analytical instruments with precision and accuracy to obtain, analyze, and interpret high-quality data. 
iv.    Interpersonal Skills and Responsibility (MD4)
•    PLO4 – Interpersonal Skills (MD4, LD4, A5): Collaborate effectively and inclusively with multidisciplinary research teams to advance knowledge and innovation. 
•    PLO5 – Responsibility (MD4, LD5, A5): Take full responsibility and initiative in planning, managing, and disseminating original research that upholds scientific integrity, institutional standards, and societal accountability. 
•    PLO6 – Entrepreneurial Skills (MD4, LD6, A5): Propose innovative chemistry-based solutions leading to viable products, processes, prototypes, or patents that address societal and industrial challenges. 
•    PLO7 – Ethics and Professionalism (MD4, LD7, A4): Uphold professional integrity and ethical standards in conducting and disseminating research and academic activities. 
v.    Communication, Information Technology, and Numerical Skill (MD5)
•    PLO8 – Communication (MD5, LD8, A5): Communicate complex scientific concepts and research outputs effectively through scholarly publications, conferences, teaching, and public engagement to diverse audiences. 
•    PLO9 – Information Technology or Digital Skills (MD5, LD9, P5): Integrate digital tools, computational modeling, and data analytics to enhance experimental design, data interpretation, and data visualization. 
•    PLO10 – Numerical Skills (MD5, LD10, C4): Analyze experimental data using advanced qualitative, quantitative, and statistical methods to interpret experimental results intuitively.

Our Team

Prof. Dr. Chan Oeurn Chey

Prof. Dr. Chan Oeurn Chey

Head

Prof. Dr. Chan Oeurn Chey earned his Ph.D. in the field of physical electronics from the Department of Science and Technology, Institute of Technology, at Linköping University, Sweden. He is the Head of the Graduate School of Science and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Science at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). He is also the founder and Head of Laboratory of Applied Nanomaterials at RUPP.

Prof. Chey is also a member of several important institutions, including the STI Advisory Board of the National Council of Science, Technology and Innovation of Cambodia, the Strategic and Planning Team of RUPP, the University Research Committee of RUPP, the Academic Council of RUPP, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE).

Currently, he is working as the Head of the research component at RUPP for the Higher Education Improvement Project (HEIP & HEIP 2) and as a Project Counterpart for many different projects with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). From 2008 to 2018, he worked as the program coordinator for the science program in the ISP of the Uppsala University-RUPP program, and from 2019 to 2025, he worked as the program coordinator for the science program in the Sweden-RUPP bilateral program. He has published more than 30 scientific research papers in international peer-reviewed journals, two book chapters, and numerous conference proceedings. He is also an active teacher trainer and team leader for the Cambodian teams participating in the Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO), the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists (SSYS), and APT-JSO.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tharith Sriv

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tharith Sriv

Deputy Head

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tharith Sriv has been affiliated with the Department of Physics, Royal University of Phnom Penh since 2007. He currently serves as Deputy Head of the Graduate School of Science, with responsibility for research development and international collaborations.

Dr. Sriv is an experimental condensed-matter physicist and a faculty member in the Department of Physics. He is also the founder and Head of the Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials Laboratory (OptoLab) at Royal University of Phnom Penh. He obtained his Ph.D. in Physics from Sogang University, Republic of Korea. His research interests include optical spectroscopy, microbeam analysis, and advanced functional materials, with a particular emphasis on materials characterization and applications in emerging technologies. Through his academic leadership and research activities, he has contributed to advancing scientific knowledge and innovation, while actively supervising and mentoring both graduate and undergraduate students engaged in high-impact research projects (https://www.gss.rupp.edu.kh/OptoLab/).

In addition to his academic and research roles, Dr. Sriv is a member of several professional societies, including the American Physical Society, IEEE, and the European Microbeam Analysis Society. His contributions to research, innovation, and science education have been recognized through numerous honors and awards, including the Bronze Medal from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the Kolab Award in Mathematics and Sciences (2025), recognitions from UNESCO and Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (Cambodia), as well as multiple Best Scientific Presentation Awards.

For further details regarding his educational background, employment history, professional activities, publications, and awards, SEE profile and publications & awards.

 Dr. Sony Chan

Dr. Sony Chan

Deputy Head

Dr. Chan Sony earned her Master's degree and Ph.D. in Mathematics from the Department of Mathematics, School of Natural Science, Sogang University, South Korea. She is the Deputy Head of the Graduate School of Science, and a faculty member of the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP).

Currently, she is responsible for academic affair at the Graduate School of Science (GSS) and a lecturer at the Department of Mathematics. She worked as a coordinate of International Science Programme (ISP) of Uppsala University-RUPP with the SEAMaN (South East Asia Mathematical Network), from 2017-2023, and also the coordinator of the Graduate Program in Mathematics, GSS, from 2017.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Veasna Soum

Asst. Prof. Dr. Veasna Soum

Program Coordinator, PhD in Chemistry

Asst. Prof. Dr. Veasna Soum is the Coordinator of the PhD Program in Chemistry at the Graduate School of Science, Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), Cambodia. He earned his PhD in Chemistry from Sogang University, Republic of Korea, and subsequently served as a Research Scientist at Sogang University. Prior to joining RUPP, he worked as a National Technical Advisor on Research and Development for the Higher Education Improvement Project (HEIP) of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), contributing to research capacity development and higher education improvement in Cambodia.

Dr. Soum is the Principal Investigator of the Materials and Fabrication Laboratory (MFL), where he leads research on nanomaterials, printed electronics, paper-based microfluidics, chemical sensors, biosensors, and point-of-care diagnostic technologies. He currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board of the National Council of Science, Technology and Innovation (NCSTI), a JASTIC Fellow, Section Editor of the Cambodian Journal of Basic and Applied Research (CJBAR), and Associate Editor of the Cambodian Journal of Education and STEM (CJES).

His research and academic leadership focus on advancing innovative technologies, strengthening graduate education, and promoting research commercialization and international collaboration to support Cambodia’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.

Contact Details

Address

Room 501 (STEM Building), Main Campus, Federation of Russia Blvd., Khan Tuolkork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

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