The University of the Philippines has forged strategic partnerships with Cambodia’s leading institutions, deepening academic ties between the two nations during a pivotal state visit. These landmark agreements signal a new era of educational cooperation in Southeast Asia.
**Key Points:**
– UP signed MOUs with Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) and Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP)
– Partnerships focus on engineering, technology, social sciences, and environmental studies
– Agreements follow broader educational cooperation between Philippines’ CHED and Cambodia’s Ministry of Education
– Collaborations aim to strengthen people-to-people ties and prepare students for regional integration
Why is UP deepening ties with Cambodia’s top universities transforming regional education?
On September 9, 2025, the University of the Philippines (UP) sealed two landmark Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in Phnom Penh, marking a new phase of academic collaboration between the Philippines and Cambodia. These partnerships represent a shared commitment to elevate higher education, strengthen people-to-people ties, and prepare Filipino and Cambodian students to thrive in an interconnected future.
What institutions are partnering with UP?
Institute of Technology of Cambodia leads engineering cooperation
During the morning session, UP President Angelo Jimenez signed an MOU with H.E. Prof. Dr. PO Kimtho, Director General of ITC. This partnership focuses specifically on advancing cooperation in engineering, science, and technology education between the two institutions.
Royal University of Phnom Penh expands academic horizons
Subsequently, another MOU was signed with H.E. Prof. CHET Chealy, Rector of RUPP, Cambodia’s largest and oldest public university. This collaboration opens opportunities for joint initiatives in social sciences, education, environmental studies, and research exchange.
How do these partnerships fit into broader diplomatic efforts?
These academic partnerships come on the heels of the September 8 MOU between the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education (CHED), led by Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, and the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS). The ministerial agreement was signed at the Peace Palace, representing one of the highlights of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit.
Notably, the timing demonstrates how educational diplomacy serves as a cornerstone for regional integration across Southeast Asia.
The stakes for regional academic collaboration couldn’t be higher.
Consequently, these agreements position both nations to leverage their complementary strengths in addressing shared challenges. The ASEAN educational framework emphasizes such bilateral partnerships as essential for regional competitiveness.
Bottom Line
These MOUs represent more than symbolic gestures—they establish concrete pathways for student exchange, joint research initiatives, and collaborative degree programs between UP and Cambodia’s premier institutions. The partnerships strategically align with both countries’ priorities for technological advancement and sustainable development.
Moving forward, these agreements will likely serve as models for expanding educational cooperation throughout Southeast Asia, potentially influencing how regional universities approach international collaboration in an increasingly connected world.
