Cal State Fullerton and Cambodia’s Phnom Penh International University (PPIU) have signed an agreement that promises new educational and partnership opportunities for students and faculty at both universities.
On Friday, leaders from the two universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signaling a new era of collaboration between the two institutions. Together, they will foster exchange, explore new avenues of collaboration, and create professional development opportunities in education, business, engineering, and computer science.
“Partnerships like this matter because they expand what is possible for students, educators, and communities on both sides,” President Ronald Rochon said at the ceremonial signing of the MOU. “They create pathways for learning that cross borders, build cultural understanding, and prepare our students to thrive in a connected world.”
Ted Kolap, Rector of PPIU, said: “My greatest hope is that the doors we open today will inspire dreams, transform lives, and create opportunities for generations to come. For every opportunity we create today, we plant a seed of hope for tomorrow.”
Outside of Southeast Asia, Southern California is home to the largest Cambodian expat community.
The ceremonial signing drew representatives for the Cambodian Consulate in Long Beach, the Khmer Parents Association, the United Cambodian Community of Long Beach, the Cambodian Family Center, and the Khmer Language Access Programs.
“Building on Cal State Fullerton’s longstanding engagement with the local Cambodian community in Long Beach and with partners abroad through the National Resource Center for Asian Languages, our partnership with Phnom Penh International University marks another milestone in CSUF’s global engagement efforts and expands the Titans’ impact on the international stage,” said Natalie Tran, interim dean for the College of Education.
The agreement complements existing programming at the CSUF College of Education, such as the Khmer Bilingual Authorization pathway program, which trains teachers for Khmer language instruction.
The MOU is just one step in CSUF’s deepening engagement with nations in Asia, as well as with Southern California’s Asian and Southeast Asian communities.
Earlier this month, the College of Education was awarded $2.7 million by the U.S. Department of Education to lead a national fellowship and cultural exchange program, Global Opportunities and Academic Leadership (GOAL).
College of Education Associate Professor Theodore Chao will lead the three-year initiative, which will bring 120 teachers to various countries in Asia, including Cambodia, and host 30 educators from Asia in the United States to study civics and teaching pedagogy.
Through the fellowship, CSUF will create opportunities for current teachers, teacher candidates, and other educators to participate in intensive professional development abroad with higher education partners in Cambodia, Taiwan, and South Korea.