13/02/2026
Forthcoming Book Chapter:
Challenges of Higher Education Development in Cambodia: Balancing Internationalization and National Relevance
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This chapter critically examines the evolving landscape of higher education in Cambodia, focusing on the complex interplay between global aspirations and national relevance. It explores how the global race for academic prestige, driven by international rankings and the world-class university discourse, has shaped institutional strategies, policy reforms, and the ambitions of Cambodian universities. The analysis highlights Cambodia’s rapid post-conflict expansion, the emergence of a vibrant private sector, and persistent challenges such as fragmented governance, underfunded research systems, and inequalities in access and quality. The chapter addresses the imperative of internationalization, finance constraints, infrastructure, and language, and the risks of dependency and homogenization. Drawing on Cambodia’s experience, the chapter reflects on the tension between global prestige and local mission, the need for context-sensitive policy interventions, and the importance of decolonizing higher education.
In an increasingly globalized economy, higher education institutions face intensifying competition to attract students and international recognition. University rankings have emerged as influential benchmarks shaping institutional strategies and policy decisions worldwide. Within this competitive la...
