USJ Strengthens Cooperation with Cambodian Higher Education Institutions
USJ Strengthens Cooperation with Cambodian Higher Education Institutions
24
Aug
24/08/2026
Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Academic Affairs visits the Royal University of Phnom Penh and Saint Paul Institute.
On 14 August 2026, the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), Macao, continued its engagement with higher education partners in Cambodia through an institutional visit by its Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Academic Affairs, Professor Álvaro Barbosa. The visit included meetings with the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) and Saint Paul Institute (SPI), represented by its President, Dr. Phon Sophal.
At RUPP, Prof. Barbosa met with Prof. Oum Ravy, Vice-Rector in Charge of International Affairs; Ms. Ham Kakada, Director of the International Relations Office; Mr. Toch Pheakdey, Deputy Director of the International Relations Office; and Mr. Ung Bun Y, Head of the Department of Media and Communication. The visit followed the Memorandum of Understanding signed by USJ and RUPP in Macao on 29 June, which established a framework for cooperation in teaching, research, student mobility, and international exchange.
The meetings considered practical next steps for the partnership, with particular attention to closer cooperation between RUPP’s Department of Media and Communication and relevant academic areas at USJ. Discussions covered potential student and staff exchanges, as well as joint research projects in communication and media.
Prof. Barbosa also visited RUPP’s Department of Media and Communication, gaining a closer understanding of its teaching and research activities. The visit provided an opportunity to identify shared academic interests and to consider initiatives that can connect students and academic staff from both institutions.
During the visit to Saint Paul Institute, Prof. Barbosa met with Dr. Phon Sophal to discuss opportunities for continued institutional collaboration between USJ and SPI. Saint Paul Institute is a Catholic higher education institution in Cambodia with which USJ has engaged actively through joint institutional projects, and extensive staff and student exchanges.
The visit contributes to USJ’s commitment to sustained international engagement in Southeast Asia and to developing academic partnerships that support teaching, research, mobility, and intercultural exchange.
