CAMBODIA
CAMBODIA
Deed of Donation Signing
23 April 2025 | Deed of Donation signed between the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh and the Royal University of Phnom Penh
Program Coordinators | Philippine Ambassador H.E. Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo and the Royal University of Phnom Penh Director of the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy Dr. Neak Chandarith
The Philippine Studies Program is a program hosted within the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy (IISPP). This initiative marks a strategic shift toward "South-South" academic cooperation, aiming to bridge knowledge gaps between Cambodia and the Philippines by exploring their common colonial histories, development trajectories, and roles within the ASEAN framework.
On 11 December 2025, the RUPP-CSEAS organized the first-ever Maritime Security Forum: Philippine and Cambodian Perspectives. This forum, conducted in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP-IMLOS), featured experts like University of the Philippines - Diliman Prof. Jay Batongbacal, who discussed maritime border issues and regional stability.
The program also facilitates the continuation of institutional mobility; in November 2025, a delegation of RUPP scholars completed a month-long study visit at the UP College of Law in Manila. These exchanges are paving the way for a joint publication that analyzes the strategic responses of both nations to regional challenges, ensuring that the Philippine narrative is a central part of Cambodia’s geopolitical discourse.
Photo Credits: The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh
Founded in 1960 as the Royal Khmer University, the Royal University of Phnom Penh is the oldest and largest institution of higher education in Cambodia.
After a period of closure during the Khmer Rouge era, the university was reopened in 1980 and has since become the nation’s premier center for intellectual training and research. With over 30,000 students across its diverse faculties, RUPP is a pioneer in international relations and development studies.
Its commitment to "indigenous knowledge production" and regional integration makes it a fitting partner for the Philippine Studies network, serving as a vital hub for fostering peace, stability, and mutual understanding across the Southeast Asian archipelago.