Cambodia, De Montfort University Explore Expansion of Higher Education Cooperation

PHNOM PENH, April 21, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s education ministry has held talks with the leadership of a UK university to strengthen cooperation and expand higher education opportunities in the country, officials said Tuesday.

On April 20, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron received Professor Katie Normington, Vice Chancellor of De Montfort University, for a courtesy call and working discussion in Phnom Penh.

The meeting was facilitated by British Ambassador Dominic Williams during her visit to the university’s branch campus in Cambodia.

Both sides reviewed progress since the establishment of the campus and discussed ways to further strengthen its operations.

Normington expressed appreciation for the ministry’s support, noting the university’s commitment to maintaining academic standards equivalent to those in the United Kingdom.

She said efforts would continue to improve teaching, assessment and programme quality.
Hang Chuon Naron welcomed the university’s contribution to human capital development and Cambodia’s broader economic growth.

He encouraged the introduction of “sandwich programmes” allowing students to study partly in Cambodia and partly in the UK or online, and urged stronger collaboration with Cambodian universities to share expertise and raise standards.

The ministry would consider regulatory facilitation to support smoother operations and student recruitment.