Topic: A Transforming Higher Education through Digital Technology: The Cambodian Context

Lecturer: Senior Researcher ITH SOPONH 

Time: May 16, 2025 (Friday), 9:00-12:00

Venu: Room 510, Xuehai Building, North Area of Nanhu Campus

Biography: ITH SOPONH is a senior researcher at the International Relations Institute of Cambodia and the Vice Rector of Khemarak University. She is an accomplished scholar, widely recognized for her unwavering commitment to education, innovation, and national development. Born in 1978 during Cambodia's civil war, she grew up in a challenging environment that inspired her to view education as a pathway to meaningful change. She began her university studies in 1996 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in computer science in 2000, followed by another in business administration in 2001. She was later awarded a government scholarship to pursue a master's degree in computer science at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, a prestigious institution regarded as the country's leading governmental think tank. Over the past two decades, Dr. SOPONH has emerged as a prominent figure in research and academia. As a senior researcher at the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, she focuses on critical areas such as international relations, diplomacy, and socio-economic development. Currently，she is pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Science, a lifelong dream that further underscores her dedication to advancing Cambodia's educational system. Beyond her research, she plays a key role in shaping higher education as the Vice Rector of Khemarak University, where she champions innovative teaching methods and fosters academic excellence. Her leadership experience extends beyond academia; she previously served as the CEO of Queen Microfinance and later as an independent board member, gaining extensive expertise in strategic planning and organizational management. A passionate advocate for knowledge dissemination, she coordinated the translation and publication of four seminal books into Khmer between 2003and 2008, including The Role of the United Nations, Applied Theory in International Relations, and works commemorating the Paris Peace Accords. Additionally, she has contributed to key research papers such as Small Countries Among Large Countries (2010) and is currently researching Cambodia-Russia relations from1953 to the present.

Abstract: The digital revolution is significantly reshaping higher education worldwide, and Cambodia is rapidly embracing this transformation through national policies, institutional reforms, and regional collaborations. This lecture provides an overview of how digital technologies are driving change in Cambodia's higher education system and influencing students' academic and professional futures. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) has launched key frameworks such as the Education Strategic Plan 2024-2028, the Digital Education Strategy for Schools (DESS, and the Inclusive Education Action Plan, aiming to strengthen digital infrastructure, enhance digital pedagogy, and expand access to educational technologies, especially in rural areas. Leading institutions like the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology (CADT) are training specialized talent in AI, data science, and cyber security while contributing to regional efforts like the ASEAN Cyber University Project. The integration of tools such as Learning Management Systems (LMS), virtual labs, Al-powered tutoring, and blockchain-based credentialing is making higher education more flexible, personalized, and accessible. However, challenges persist, including the digital divide between urban and rural areas, limited digital literacy among educators and students, infrastructure gaps, and financial constraints that hinder widespread implementation and quality assurance of digital initiatives.

Rewritten by: Lu Yu 

Edited by: Li Tiantian

Source: School of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence