University of Health Sciences

What if I told you that the very ground we stand on has witnessed the rebirth of an institution, a phoenix rising from the ashes of a devastating past? This is the University of Health Sciences (UHS), a beacon of hope and healing in Phnom Penh. The UHS has a rich, albeit turbulent, history. Established in 1946 as the School for Medical Officers, it underwent several transformations, evolving into the Cambodian Royal School of Medicine in 1953 and later the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in 1962. The university faced a dark period during the Khmer Rouge regime, suffering abandonment and severe damage. Yet, like a lotus flower emerging from murky waters, the UHS reopened its doors in 1980, merging medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry under one roof. It finally achieved university status in 1997. Today, the University of Health Sciences stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The UHS doesn’t just teach; it trains the next generation of Cambodian healthcare professionals. Future doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, midwives, and other vital medical personnel hone their skills here. The university offers a wide array of programs, from undergraduate degrees to specialized doctorates. Did you know that medical students here earn a Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSc) after six years? To become fully qualified physicians, they complete an additional two-year internship, culminating in a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. The UHS is also a hub for aspiring pharmacists, who undertake a five-year program leading to a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm). And for those dreaming of a career in dentistry, a seven-year journey leads to a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). Beyond these core programs, the UHS is expanding its horizons, offering degrees in public health and planning to introduce programs in nutrition and epidemiology. The UHS is more than just a university. It is a symbol of Cambodia’s commitment to a healthier future, a place where knowledge is nurtured and healing takes root.