“Education, Research and Service to Society” is the motto of the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Standing here, we’re about to explore Cambodia’s oldest and largest public university. The Royal University of Phnom Penh or RUPP has a rich history.
RUPP first opened its doors on January 13 1960. It was initially known as the Royal Khmer University. The university began with various institutions. These included a National Institute of Judicial and Economic Studies and a Royal School of Medicine. There was also a National School of Commerce.
The language of instruction was French back then. In 1970, it became Phnom Penh University. The Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979 forced the cessation of formal education. Schools and universities closed. Teaching services were decimated. Phnom Penh University ceased to function. Faculty members were killed.
The campus was deserted for almost five years. In 1980, the Ecole Normale Supérieure reopened. It again taught predominantly in French. The Institute of Foreign Languages IFL opened in 1981. It trained students to become Vietnamese and Russian language teachers.
In 1988, the Ecole Normale Supérieure merged with the IFL. This created Phnom Penh University. In 1996, the university became the Royal University of Phnom Penh.
RUPP has grown significantly. It includes the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. The Institute of Foreign Languages is also part of the university. New departments and degree programs are developed regularly. This helps keep up with the needs of Cambodian society.
Since 2001, RUPP began developing postgraduate degrees at a Masters level. The university has a vision. It wants to become Cambodia’s flagship university. This includes teaching research and community services.
The Royal University of Phnom Penh has three spacious campuses. The main campus is about five kilometers from the center of Phnom Penh. The Institute of Foreign Languages adjoins the main campus. It boasts peaceful landscaping.
RUPP Campus II is one kilometer further from town. The departments of History Sociology and Philosophy reside here. The Campus 2 architecture was influenced by Khmer temples from the Angkor period. Ponds and bridges evoke a calm atmosphere.
Today, the Royal University of Phnom Penh hosts over 12000 students. These include scholarship and full-fee paying students. They come from diverse backgrounds. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs. These programs span sciences humanities and social sciences. Professional degrees include information technology electronics psychology social work and tourism.
RUPP provides Cambodia’s foremost degree-level language programs. This is through the Institute of Foreign Languages. The university is a full member of the ASEAN University Network AUN. RUPP has over 450 full-time staff. All academic staff members hold tertiary qualifications. These include PhDs and Masters degrees. They are supported by administrative and maintenance staff.
The university maintains links with NGOs universities and government ministries. Various organizations contribute adjunct faculty members. This expands RUPP’s capacity. The Royal Government of Cambodia supports RUPP. The government covers electricity and utility costs. It provides staff salaries. It also provides resources like computers infrastructure and furniture.