chanhengmenh/aupp-chatbot huggingface dataset:
AUPP Students Attend Session of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia
Date: 2015-03-18T14:50:00

Students in AUPP’s LEGL 101 class attended a half-day session of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia on March 4, 2015. They were accompanied by Professor Stephen Rosenbaum and KPFA Radio Journalist Aileen Alfandary. Alfandary afterwards filed a story on the court proceedings, including interviews with AUPP students.

AUPP students observed a prosecutor and civil party lawyers questioning a former guard about the torture and executions he witnessed at the notorious Kraing Ta Chan detention center in a phase of the trials devoted to charges of genocide. More than 165,000 Cambodians from all over the country have attended the trials to date.

Although the crimes happened almost half a century ago, court spokesperson Lars Olsen says there is an important principle at work in putting the world’s current leaders on notice that impunity will not be tolerated in the face of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide

Field trips and other co-curricular activities provide opportunities for AUPP students to see the real-world application of the theories and ideas they are studying in the classroom. Dr. Rosenbaum provided the students with a list of prompts to guide their observation of the tribunal proceedings and written reflections.
AUPP Attends ACC National Dissemination Workshop
Date: 2015-03-17T14:48:00

President Sharon Siverts and Vice President Bill Heidcamp attended the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia dissemination workshop on March 13 and 14 in Siem Reap. The workshop focused on a discussion of the new Standards for institutional accreditation, which was most helpful to AUPP as it prepares its documentation for seeking ACC accreditation.

President Siverts gave a summary of key points from the workshop to all participants, specifically focusing on the importance of accreditation, the relevance of the Standards, and outlined an internal process for the accreditation process. Further, she focused on the importance of each institution ‘telling their own story,’ providing relevant information and institutional data in response to the Standards.

Dr. Siverts is a Technical Consultant to the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia. AUPP is committed to national and international accreditation of the institution and its programs.
Technical Director for NBC Nightly News Speaks at AUPP
Date: 2015-03-12T14:45:00

Michael Couto spends much of his time overseeing the production of NBC Nightly News , one of the most widely watched news programs on American television. On March 4, 2015, he met with AUPP students and faculty to discuss his educational and professional background, how he “fell in love with Cambodia,” and why he regularly returns to the Kingdom.

Mr. Couto’s career followed a path he would never have predicted. He stated that in his first year of college, he was profoundly influenced by an introductory literature course he really didn’t want to take. By reading literature, though, he became fascinated by the idea of storytelling, and the subject of philosophy.

Storytelling, he said, is a critical part not just of creative writing, but also in just about every academic field. Stories can be told in writing, but also by using photographs, film, or sounds. The most important part of telling a story well, he advised students, is first to “feel” it, and learn to follow that feeling.

After his presentation, Mr. Couto sat down with a small group of students and faculty members to discuss the creative process and to give advice to students currently working on making short films in AUPP’s Introduction to Information Technology course.

Michael Couto is currently in Cambodia working with graduate students who are making a documentary film in Koh Kong Province.
Building English Skills for the Future: AUPP Attends 11th Annual CamTESOL Conference
Date: 2015-03-10T17:57:00

“English: Building Skills for Regional Cooperation and Mobility” was the theme of the 11th Annual CamTESOL Conference on English Language Teaching. The event was held at the Institute of Technology Cambodia (ITC) in Phnom Penh on February 28 and March 1, 2015, and it brought together 680 international delegates from 36 countries. The American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP) was represented by Dr. Sharon Siverts, University President; Dr. William Hiedcamp, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Craig, Associate Professor of English; and Daniel Vallieres, M.Ed., English Preparatory Program Instructor.

As Cambodia’s leader in higher education, “AUPP was delighted to participate in this event focusing on English language teaching and learning,” said AUPP President, Dr. Sharon Siverts. “AUPP strives to empower graduates with strong English language skills and a broad-based liberal education that prepares them to become future leaders in Cambodia, the ASEAN region, and the world.”

Dr. Betsy Craig, Associate Professor of English at AUPP, presented her research on “Learner Modification of High-Frequency Nouns for Academic Writing”. Dr. Craig explained that grammatical errors by non-native English learners can be stigmatizing and even result in their writing not being taken seriously by other academics and professionals.

AUPP is Cambodia’s only American-style university. All classes are taught in English by highly qualified professors. AUPP is proud to participate in events such as the CamTESOL Conference, which supports the University’s commitment to producing graduates with strong English skills for future success in the workforce.
Dr. Stefanie Pillai Speaks to AUPP Students
Date: 2015-03-05T17:56:00

On March 2, 2015, Dr. Stefanie Pillai, Associate Professor of English at the University of Malaya, spoke to AUPP students about English and employability. She emphasized that knowing and using the formal register of the English language will make the students much more competitive in both local and global job markets after they graduate.

Dr. Pillai also discussed the importance of gaining practical work experience while earning an undergraduate degree. Many employers are concerned that while recent university graduates have the necessary education, they often lack real-life work experience. Dr. Pillai encouraged the students to seek out opportunities for internships during their studies in order to build the skill sets that will help them stand out as exceptional candidates in a very tight job market.

Dr. Pillai elaborated on the current job market, explaining that every opening receives hundreds of applications. In such a market, hiring professionals are looking for any reason to eliminate candidates from consideration for employment. She emphasized that becoming proficient in English, cultivating a positive attitude, and developing skills such as leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking are important to future employability.

Dr. Pillai is Chief Editor of the Malaysian Journal of English Language Teaching Research and a member of the Editorial Board of Asia TEFL Journal and the Asian EFL Journal. Her papers have appeared in various professional journals such as Second Language Acquisition, World Englishes, English Today, Language & Communication, and Higher Education.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Melvin Sterne
Date: 2015-03-03T17:54:00

Dr. Melvin Sterne earned his BA at the University of Washington, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and won the John K. Woolley Memorial Scholarship (the English Department’s highest award). He earned his M.A. at the University of California at Davis, where he was nominated for Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher and carried a 4.0 GPA. Ten of the eleven stories in his Master’s Thesis were published in literary magazines. He earned his PhD at Florida State University, where he was also nominated for Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher, and where he studied with Pulitzer Prize winning author, Robert Olen Butler. He also earned a Graduate Certificate in Editing and Publishing from Florida State University.

Professor Sterne is the author of one novel, Zara, (Ink Brush Press) and one collection of short stories, The Number You Have Reached (Lamar University Press). He has published more than 30 short stories, poems, and essays, with a number of these winning awards and/or included in various anthologies.

Besides writing and teaching, Dr. Sterne has fourteen years of experience in the publishing industry, serving first as Managing Editor of the Licton Springs Review, then as Senior Editor and Publisher of Carve Magazine, as a copy editor for Government Information Quarterly, and finally as co-editor of the Blood and Honey Review. He has also worked as a consultant on a number of successful writing projects including two published novels: Local (by Jaideep Varma) and Lucky Every Day (by Bapsy Jain).

Since earning his PhD, Professor Sterne has taught at the American University of Afghanistan, the American University of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the SP Jain School of Global Management, and Shantou University.
AUPP Welcomes New Director of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
Date: 2015-02-17T17:52:00

AUPP is pleased to announce Mr. Sek Barisoth has joined the University’s management team as the Director of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing. He brings with him over thirty years of experience in a variety of fields including education, communications, government and NGOs.

Prior to joining AUPP, Mr. Sek Barisoth served as Technical Adviser to a capacity-building NGO called the Advocacy and Policy Institute (API); National Program Officer for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); Director of the Anti-Corruption Program, and later Director of Governance Media Program of Pact, an international NGO; Marketing Manager for a private school; UNESCO’s National Project Officer; Director of the Cambodia Communication Institute (CCI), a media training project of the Royal Government of Cambodia and UNESCO; and Chief of the Current Affairs Bureau of the government’s news agency, AKP/SPK.

Mr. Sek Barisoth has an advanced diploma in Political Science from Moscow Academy of Social Science (former USSR). He holds an advanced certificate of Project Management from Denmark and a journalism certificate from the United States. Additionally, he has served as a board member for many local and international civil society groups.

Mr. Sek Barisoth said, “I am excited for the opportunity to join the exceptional management team at AUPP. I am committed to furthering the success of the University, and I know that together, we will be able to advance the mission and vision of AUPP’s founders.”
U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia Visits AUPP
Date: 2015-02-12T17:50:00

On February 11, 2015, the American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP) welcomed Mr. William (Bill) Todd, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Ambassador Todd spoke to students and faculty about a variety of topics, including education, economic growth, and environmental issues in Cambodia. Following his remarks, the Ambassador engaged in discussion with the students. Throughout the conversation, Ambassador Todd emphasized the critical role that the youth of Cambodia will play in shaping the country’s future.

Kaknika Lin, a second year student majoring in Law, said, “The ambassador provided some statistics that really surprised us. We didn’t realize that young people made up such a high percentage of Cambodia’s total population. We now realize our opportunity and responsibility as future leaders in the country.”

Todd was confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia in March of 2012. Prior to his confirmation, he served as Coordinating Director of Development and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Acting Inspector General of the Department of State, and held several senior positions in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) at the Department of State.

Ambassador Todd is one of a number of notable figures who have addressed AUPP students and faculty since the University’s inception in 2013. Other speakers have included Dr. Okyu Kwon, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy of the Republic of Korea; Dr. Benny Widyono, former Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary General; and Mr. Rady Mom, the first Cambodian-American elected to serve as a state legislator in the United States.

Discussions with guest lecturers and other co-curricular activities play an integral role in the degree programs offered at AUPP, allowing students to actively engage in their own learning through interaction with prominent figures in their respective fields of study.
AUPP Students Visit WorldBridgE Commerce Facilities
Date: 2015-01-30T17:45:00

On Friday, January 23rd, a group of AUPP students attended a reception to celebrate the opening of the new facilities for WorldBridgE Commerce, a WorldBridge initiative that is meant to help increase e-commerce in Cambodia. WorldBridge International and WorldbridgE Commerce were founded by Oknha Rithy Sear.

The goal of the WorldBridgE Commerce project is to help increase access to not only shopping, but also online microfinance, methods of payment, and the transfer of money between people. In other words, it is intended to boost the online industry. The company’s mantra is not to change the online industry in Cambodia, but to create it.

The guests were greeted by Tomas Pokorny, the CEO of WorldBridgE Commerce, and Rami Sharaf, the CEO of the WorldBridge Group. Students were able to talk to industry leaders and other invitees about the state of e-commerce in Southeast Asia, the barriers to increasing e-commerce in Cambodia, and how WorldbridgE Commerce will accomplish their goals of changing the “very meaning of the word ‘online’.”

Students were also given a sneak preview of how technology is changing the way people can shop online. In one demonstration, students took turns standing in front of a virtual mirror. This mirror was able to superimpose clothing onto the person, simulating what the person would look like if they purchased a particular article of clothing. Through the same device, the customer can purchase the clothing and have it shipped to their door. This was one of many examples of how technology is changing the way people do business, and even the way people interact.

AUPP student Taing Bun Hong says, “It is encouraging to learn that Cambodia’s business sector is using advanced technologies to make our lives easier.”
AUPP Recognizes Top Students in Awards Ceremony
Date: 2015-01-29T17:44:00

On Wednesday, January 28, the American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP) recognized the scholastic achievements of the University’s top students in an awards ceremony at the AUPP campus. Certificates were presented to students who made the Scholar’s List by maintaining a GPA of 3.6 or higher while taking a minimum of 15 credits during the Fall 2014 Semester. Dr. William Heidcamp, AUPP’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, presented awards to the following students: Len Sievlan, Thun Winipichmonika, Ong Limeng, Taing Bun Hong, Yang Mony Oudom, and Mau Pichvuthyka.

University President, Dr. Sharon Siverts, also presented the prestigious President’s Awards. This honor is conferred upon the most outstanding students each semester. The recipients of this semester’s President’s Awards were first year student Len Sievlan and second year students Thun Winpichmonika, Ong Limeng, and Taing Bun Hong. Dr. Siverts praised the students for their achievements and encouraged others to follow their example, stating, “Congratulations to these exceptional students. All of you ought to strive for this.”
Dr. Sharan Brown from the University of Washington Speaks at AUPP
Date: 2015-01-26T17:43:00

“The American Disability Rights Movement: A Work in Progress” was the theme of guest lecturer Sharan Brown at AUPP’s Spring Semester Speakers’ Series kickoff on January 22. Brown, who is a Research Professor at the University of Washington (UW) College of Education, provided an overview of U.S. legal and legislative history of the disability civil rights movement, from the Civil War to the present day. Despite a number of successes in American courts and legislatures, Brown was adamant that more work remained to be done. She also pointed out that the U.S.—unlike Cambodia—has still not ratified the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which went into effect almost eight years ago.

Brown, who has taught at the Royal University of Phnom Penh and Royal University of Law and Economics, is no stranger to the Cambodian disability rights community, and she engaged the mostly student audience in a discussion about the importance of language and self- identity in how disability issues are discussed in all societies. In her capacity as Associate Director of the UW University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Brown has a particular interest in education, and recalled her days working in Cambodian refugee camps, where a movement began to meaningfully educate children with disabilities. As part of her message that the education of disabled and non-disabled students needs to be integrated—not segregated—the UW professor asked the audience, “Why do we refer to it as ‘special’ education? I like to call it simply ‘education.’”

Also in attendance were US Embassy Political Affairs Officer Jay Ramen and UW Fulbright Scholar Anne Crylen, who is working with NGOs in Cambodia on issues of deafness and traumatic brain injury.
AUPP Now Accepts TOEFL and IELTS Scores
Date: 2015-01-22T17:39:00

The American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP) is pleased to announce that it now accepts TOEFL and IELTS scores as evidence of English proficiency for admissions and placement purposes. Students with a score of 61 or higher on the TOEFL iBT or a 5.5 or higher on the IELTS who meet all other admission requirements are eligible to enter directly into the Collegiate Program at AUPP.

AUPP is a TOEFL Designated Institution. Applicants may request to have their official TOEFL scores delivered directly to AUPP. To have scores sent to the university, applicants must simply provide AUPP’s Designated Institution Code, B027, when registering for the TOEFL iBT. For further information, or to register for a TOEFL test, applicants can visit the TOEFL website.

AUPP is also an IELTS Recognizing Organization. Applicants who indicate AUPP as a score recipient when registering for the IELTS test will have an official Test Report Form delivered directly to the university. For additional information, or to register for an IELTS test, applicants can visit the IELTS website.

In addition to the TOEFL and IELTS tests, applicants may also choose to take a university-administered English language placement test. Applicants should visit the AUPP campus to register, or contact AUPP via phone or email at 023 990 023 or info@aupp.edu.kh.
New Partnership Agreement Between Two Leading Educational Institutions in Cambodia
Date: 2015-01-19T17:37:00

Leaders from two of Cambodia’s premier educational institutions met on Monday, January 19, to sign a partnership agreement for the benefit of students at both schools. The American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP) was represented at the signing ceremony by Dr. Sharon Siverts, President, Dr. William Heidcamp, Vice-President for Academic and Student Affairs, and Chris Campbell, Manager of Recruitment and Admissions. CIA FIRST International School was represented by Oknya Ly Tay and Mr. Samath Him Sprung from the Board of Directors, and by Mr. Andre Struve, School Director. As a part of the agreement, CIA FIRST students will receive AUPP tuition reduction, access to special lectures at AUPP, and invitations to AUPP community events. In turn, AUPP will receive invitations to CIA FIRST events where they can meet with students and parents and promote the exceptional education opportunities offered through AUPP.

“This is a historic agreement and a very positive step for both schools. It is also a sign of the growing strength and quality of education in Cambodia” stated Andre Struve, School Director at CIA FIRST International School.

CIA FIRST International School is one of Cambodia’s leading international schools for students K3 – grade 12. Employing an American standards-based curriculum, the school focuses on helping students to gain critical thinking skills and to develop into globally responsible citizens.

AUPP is Cambodia’s first American-style university. AUPP’s highly qualified faculty have significant experience teaching in the United States and deliver a U.S.-based curriculum entirely in English.

“AUPP is delighted with this agreement between CIA FIRST and the university. Not only do students benefit, but the country benefits from this unique and innovative partnership as CIA FIRST and AUPP work to prepare students to be the leaders of tomorrow” stated Dr. Sharon Siverts, President of AUPP.
AUPP Students Take Field Trip to RMA Cambodia Offices
Date: 2015-01-15T17:34:00

On January 15, 2015, AUPP students took a field trip to RMA Cambodia, a multinational corporation representing an array of international brands. They visited the company’s offices and a showroom of RMA Ford Automotive to gain insight into the structure and operations of a large, successful business. The students learned about the complexities of management and human resources, the impact of new technologies on markets, and the idea of corporate social responsibility, amongst other topics.

AUPP professor Dr. David Ader, who accompanied the students, said, “The trip to RMA provided an opportunity for the students to make some really valuable connections.” The students were introduced to some of Cambodia’s business leaders and were encouraged to reach out to RMA in the future for internship and employment opportunities.

RMA Cambodia was established in 1992 in Phnom Penh, and has grown year-on-year to offer a wide range of products and services. With more than 900 employees, RMA Cambodia’s operations extend throughout the country with 12 different offices and branches. It is a leader in the automotive, infrastructure, engineering, and food services sectors nationwide. The company’s diverse array of local operations ranges from the food service sector (Pizza Company, Costa Coffee, and Swensen’s) to heavy equipment (John Deere) and automobiles (Ford, Jaguar, and Land Rover.)

In October of 2014, AUPP and RMA entered into a formal partnership, agreeing to collaborate in a range of activities, including joint research projects, providing internship opportunities for AUPP students, and exchanges among AUPP faculty members and RMA employees.
Dr. William (Bill) Heidcamp Joins AUPP as Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
Date: 2015-01-06T17:33:00

At the beginning of January 2015, Dr. William Heidcamp joined the management team at AUPP as the University’s new Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. Dr. Heidcamp previously served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Prior to serving as Dean at AUS, he Dr. Heidcamp spent 35 years in the Department of Biology at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, USA, and headed of that department for over 20 years. After leaving AUS, Dr. Heidcamp returned to Gustavus Adolphus College as Professor Emeritus of Biology. He has been active in the Minnesota Academy of Sciences, and also contributed to the work of Habitat for Humanity.

William Heidcamp has strong roots in the liberal arts, with considerable experience in international and general education. He states, ‘my goal is the pursuit of excellence based in liberal arts, with a sound, practical orientation, pushing the boundaries of our knowledge where possible, and grounding that education with state-of-the-art training in a chosen field.’

AUPP warmly welcomes Dr. Heidcamp.
Special Free Program Announced for New Students
Date: 2014-12-15T17:32:00

AUPP is offering a special program to students admitted for the January 2015 semester. Beginning December 15, 2014, accepted students are attending a special English language program at AUPP at no additional cost! All new students admitted are also welcome to join this language program.

The program is designed to improve students’ academic English to better prepare them for courses beginning in January and to welcome new students into the AUPP community. The classes will be held at the AUPP campus Monday – Friday.

This is an excellent opportunity for students planning to enrol in January to improve their English skills before the start of the new semester. The special program starts December 15 and will continue until December 31. Don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this free program.

Visit AUPP today to submit your application and take the first step towards joining Cambodia’s finest university.
AUPP Student Christmas Party
Date: 2014-12-15T17:30:00

With classes over for the Fall Semester 2014, students and faculty gathered on Friday December for an end-of-semester celebration and American-style Christmas party.

Dr. Margaret Hartman, outgoing Interim Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, welcomed students to the event and spoke about the traditions of Christmas by many Americans. Her comments were interrupted, though, by the arrival of Santa Claus bearing gifts of candy for the students.

Next on the agenda was a Christmas-themed quiz, with Dr. Betsy Craig posing questions ranging from the names of Santa’s reindeer to the author of the novel A Christmas Carol. The winning team of Bun Hong Taing, Yutt Chan, and Vuth Sar received both the coveted Santa Claus Award (see photograph) and the right to put together the questions for 2015 Christmas Party Contest.

After the quiz, students, faculty, and administrators shared cake and drinks before students headed home for a weekend of study in preparation for their end-of-semester exams.
AUPP Students Take Arts and Culture Field Trip
Date: 2014-12-11T17:28:00

AUPP students took a two-day field trip to the National Museum and various art galleries within Phnom Penh to see first hand what they had been studying in their Arts and Culture class.

Along with their instructor, Dr. Theresa de Langis, students visited theNational Museum of Cambodia, the nearby Romeet Contemporary Art Space, and the new Community Gallery recently opened by the The Asia Foundation.

Students exchanged ideas with Cambodian artist and educator, Srey Bandaul, about his recent piece “Under the Sarong.” They met Khiang Hei, curator of the new exhibition at the Community Gallery, which was featuring internationally recognized artists, Sopheap Pich and Kong Vollak.

The field trip was highly valued by students as it gave them an opportunity to learn more about their history and culture and to meet contemporary Cambodian artists. “Looking at actual art and meeting with actual artists gave us a first hand experience of what arts and culture is all about,” said student Amanda Too. Other students agreed that learning can and should move beyond the classroom and books to strengthen learning and critical thinking.

“The trip to the galleries and museum gave us the chance to apply what we have learned in class,” said Bun Hong Taing. “We were able to engage very immediately with the art and the artists, asking questions and being in direct conversation about what art and culture means in today’s Cambodia.”
AUPP Showcased at Cambodia Book Fair
Date: 2014-12-03T17:27:00

As part of AUPP’s outreach efforts, representatives of the University attended the 2014 Cambodia Book Fair, held at the National Library of Cambodia in Phnom Penh from November 28 – 30. The Fair takes place every year, and is attended by educators, authors, publishers, government officials, students, and the general public.

AUPP representatives and students talked with book fair participants, answered questions about the University, and distributed informational brochures about AUPP. The event provided an opportunity for AUPP to interact with potential students, their parents, and members of the community, and also to demonstrate the University’s commitment to the promotion of education and literacy in the Kingdom.
Thanksgiving 2014 at AUPP
Date: 2014-12-02T17:25:00

AUPP students, faculty, and administrators got together on Friday November 28 for the University’s second celebration of the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving. They did so in a traditional American way, with a dinner of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and cranberry sauce, followed by the quintessentially Thanksgiving dessert of pumpkin pie.

The gathering was not all about food, however. AUPP faculty and administrators gave short presentations on the history and meaning of Thanksgiving, what it means to them, how it has change over time, and what the holiday has in common with celebrations of thanks in other cultures and other parts of the world.
AUPP Faculty Member Publishes Major Report on Khmer Rouge era
Date: 2014-11-29T17:23:00

AUPP is proud of the achievement of adjunct faculty member Dr. Theresa de Langis, lead author of a recently published report entitled “Like ghost changes body” – a Study on the Impact of Forced Marriage during the Khmer Rouge.”

Co-authored by Judith Strasser, Thida Kim, and Sopheap Taing, the report is the first of two published by the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization documenting and analyzing the effects forced marriages on the lives of modern Cambodians. The full report can be downloaded from the TPO website.

The report uses the experiences of 106 of the civil parties to Case 002 in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia of forced marriages which, according to the report, “eliminated choice, were without consent, and took place within a context of severe coercion.”

“The general perception is that forced marriages and enforced conjugal relations were not qualitatively different from traditionally arranged marriages, and therefore should not be prioritized by the ECCC,” said Dr. de Langis in an interview with the Phnom Penh Post. The study shows, however, that this is not the case. Those forced into marriage were “aware in real time that the fundamental right to make a central life decision, according to cultural and social customs, was violated and that the trauma of that violation continues until today and includes far-reaching inter-generational impact,” she said.

Dr. de Langis is also author of various other papers and articles on the ECCC, gender, and peace and collaborative development.

The American University of Phnom Penh actively encourages its faculty members to engage in research, publish the results of their work, and to share their findings at academic conferences.
First Ever Cambodian-American State Representative Visits AUPP
Date: 2014-11-27T17:22:00

On Friday, November 21, AUPP was honored to welcome Mr. Rady Mom, the first Cambodian-American elected just two weeks previously to serve as a state legislator in the United States. Mom, a Democrat, will represent the 18th Middlesex House District in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Rady Mom left Cambodia with his family during the period of the Khmer Rouge regime; has was then 12 years only. He has been active for many years in the Lowell region’s Cambodian community including the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, Angkor Dance Troupe and Khmer Cultural Council. He is a physical therapist by profession.

Mom spoke to AUPP students and faculty about the importance of education, and the value of hard work, commitment, and dedication. He reminded the audience that while life presents many challenges, it is important to remain focused on goals and never stop learning.
AUPP to Move to new Campus
Date: 2014-11-13T17:19:00

AUPP is delighted, as part of its ongoing efforts to provide its students with a top quality education and excellent facilities, to be developing plans for a new state-of-the-art campus. The first phase in this project will involve the construction of five-story university building in Phnom Penh’s Chrouy Changva district.

The new AUPP campus is being designed by the US-based architectural firm Yost Grube Hall (YGH), a company with a well-established track record of designing award winning university buildings, corporate offices, as well U.S. embassies and consulates offices. YGH buildings can currently be found in 42 countries around the world.

A team of architects from the firm spent several weeks in Cambodia gathering information about AUPP’s future needs and plans, and working on preliminary plans for the new campus. Construction of the new building will begin in 2015, with occupation planned for 2016.

In keeping with AUPP’s philosophy of partnering with local businesses and organizations, Yost Grube Hall will work in collaboration with a local architectural firm in creating a facility that will meet the highest international standards in design, quality, and construction.

Over the past month, architects met with university administrators, faculty, students, and Board members, gathering ideas and suggestions. The result of their efforts is a design shown in the sketches on this page. The new campus will be built in two phases; the first phase will consist of a five-story building designed to accommodate the needs of a university with between 600 and 700 students. The second phase will be build as the AUPP student body increases to a projected 1,000 to 1,150.

In keeping with AUPP’s mission, the needs of students are central to the design and functions of the new campus. It will include a state-of-the-art Library and Resource Center, computer and science laboratories, spaces for individual and group study and learning, as well as indoor and outdoor dining and meeting areas and a 250-seat auditorium.

Classrooms will vary in size, accommodating between 18 and 70 students, and have been designed to allow both lecture-style classes as well as small group discussion and project work. Faculty offices will be conveniently located to promote AUPP’s culture of close collaboration between students and their professors.

AUPP President Dr. Sharon Siverts commented: “This is an exciting development for AUPP as it continues its leadership role in shaping higher education within Cambodia”. Speaking after a briefing from the architects, AUPP Assistant Professor of Demography Dr. David Ader described the new plans as “a promising new phase in the growth and expansion of AUPP.”
AUPP to Offer Special English Program for new Students
Date: 2014-10-29T17:29:00

AUPP is offering a special program to students admitted for the January 2015 semester. Beginning November 10, 2014, accepted students are welcome to join a special English language program at AUPP at no additional cost!

The program is designed to improve students’ academic English to better prepare them for courses beginning in January and to welcome new students into the AUPP community. The classes will be held at the AUPP campus Monday-Thursday from 2:00-4:00 PM. Additionally, every Friday at 1:00 pm students will have the opportunity to attend a lecture from an AUPP faculty member. Participants in this special program are also welcome to join current students in any of AUPP’s student clubs, which meet on Fridays at 2:00 pm.

This is an excellent opportunity for students planning to enroll in January to improve their English skills and build relationships with current students and faculty before the start of the new semester. The special program starts November 10 and will continue until December 12. Don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this free program! Visit AUPP today to submit your application and take the first step towards joining Cambodia’s finest university.
AUPP Students visit Hang Meas TV
Date: 2014-10-26T17:21:00

The American University of Phnom Penh is committed to providing its students with the best possible education, not only inside the classroom but also by exposing them to the real world outside the university campus.

On Friday October 24, the students’ extracurricular education took the form of a field trip to the production facilities and television studios of the Hang Meas (HM) Group. Students toured the facilities, learned about the activities of a modern broadcast company, and had the chance to ask questions about its operations and mission.

Upon their arrival at the HM facility in Phnom Penh’s Chbar Ampov district, AUPP students and faculty were greeted by Mr. Eng Chhayngoun, the Chairman and CEO of Hang Meas.

Sitting in a large recording studio, alongside a set many Cambodians would recognize as the backdrop to some well-known music videos, the AUPP group learned about the history of the Hang Meas from the Group’s Senior Marketing and Communication Manager, Mr. Pen Teth Makara. He explained that the group began in 1994 as an entertainment production company, making music CDs and VCDs. It also provided voice-over service and ran two radio stations, both of which remain still broadcast today.

On January 1, 2012 Hang Meas HDTV took to the airwaves, broadcasting in high definition. Mr. Makara explained that Hang Meas HDTV tries to meet international standards, for example in its popular programs The Voice Cambodia and the forthcoming Cambodia’s Got Talent series.

The AUPP students next heard from Mr. Meas Rithy, whose name and face are familiar to anyone who watches Hang Meas weekday evening newscasts. He outlined the mission of HM’s two main divisions, arts and entertainment, and news. Focusing on his own area, news, Mr. Rithy outlined the responsibilities of television news reporters and presenters. He spoke in particular about the importance of covering all sides of news stories, and the fact that HM avoids political issues, especially those that are controversial. The company’s mission, he said, was to serve the interests of the society in which it operates.

Reflecting on the field trip, AUPP sophomore Bun Hong Taing said “It was both fun and educational. From now on, TV programs will remind us of the trip, and make us think of the efforts behind them. I believe it will also make us think the same about other things we take for granted.”

In addition to the visit to Hang Meas, AUPP students have visited Phnom Penh’s main water treatment facility, and also taken a field trip to observe proceedings in Cambodia’s court system. More field trips will take place in the near future.
AUPP Students Celebrate Spirit Week
Date: 2014-10-24T17:19:00

Thursday October 23, 2014. A visitor to the AUPP campus today would be greeted by an unusual sight: students, professors, and staff on campus wearing pajamas. No, the university community did not have a slumber party; today is Pajama Day, part of AUPP’s annual Spirit Week.

“The purpose of Spirit Week is for everyone to have a sense of community,” said student Kakanika Lin, President of the AUPP Events Club, one of AUPP’s student organizations. “It’s also a chance for students to show their school spirit.”

Spirit Week began on Monday with Traditional Day, an opportunity to celebrate traditional clothing and accessories. Tuesday was Crazy Hair Day, with students sporting innovative and unusual hairstyles (and even a few professors and staff wearing outrageous wigs.) Sports Day was on Wednesday; members of the AUPP community wore clothing celebrating their favorite sports or teams. Spirit Week ends on Friday with AUPP Colors Day, a chance to show school spirit by wearing read, white, and blue.
Dr. Nilanjan Sen from Nanyang Technological University Speaks at AUPP
Date: 2014-10-10T17:18:00

On Friday October 10, 2014, AUPP students and faculty welcomed guest speaker Dr. Nilanjan Sen from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. Dr. Sen is Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Assoicate Professor of Banking and Finance at Nanyang Business School, NTU. He received his PhD from Virginia Tech and was a faculty member at Arizona State University prior to joining NTU.

Dr. Sen shared several observations about leadership and economics in an increasingly globalized world. He emphasized that now more than ever, aspiring entrepreneurs need not to be concerned with raising large initial capital, so long as they have innovative ideas and strong leadership skills. He pointed to the success of startups Airbnb and Uber and their ability to take advantage of a shared resource economy to turn simple ideas into multimillion dollar businesses with limited initial capital investment.

In response to a question from the audience, Dr. Sen explained that in addition to strong communication skills, humility, and the ability to build relationships, the most important characteristic for future business leaders is that they are good global citizens. “Today, nationalism is causing more problems than it is solving,” Dr, Sen stated, and it is essential that business leaders are sensitive to the diversity of their stakeholders and customers. Dr. Sen is optimistic that young people increasingly view themselves as interconnected citizens of a global world, and this sense of community and an appreciation of cultural differences bodes well for the future.

AUPP regularly welcomes experts, particularly those with a background in one of the major fields of study at the university, to speak with students and faculty and share their insights and experiences.
AUPP Signs First Major Formal Partnership with RMA
Date: 2014-10-08T17:16:00

The American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP) today signed its first major formal partnership with the business and industrial sector in Cambodia.

At a ceremony on the AUPP campus University President Dr. Sharon Siverts and Mr. Ngorn Saing, Deputy Country Manager and CFO of RMA (Rochester, Midland, Asia) Cambodia, put their signatures to a Memorandum of Understanding undertaking to collaborate in a range of activities, including joint research projects, providing internship opportunities for AUPP students, and exchanges among AUPP faculty members and RMA employees.

Speaking at the signing, Dr. Siverts stressed the importance of collaboration between higher education and the business and public sectors. Collaboration between AUPP and RMA Cambodia would make it possible for students and faculty to interact with managers and staff of a large and diversified local company.

“Our agreement with RMA Cambodia help students understand what its like to work in a very successful international industry,” Dr. Siverts said. “This is the first agreement with Cambodian business and industry and we look forward to it being a model upon which to develop additional partnerships with others in both the public and private sectors.”

In his remarks, Mr. Ngorn Saing said that the growth of RMA Cambodia has been a result of the work of capable, educated people. “We need AUPP to support us,” he said. “Without smart and educated people we cannot continue to grow. Cooperation with AUPP is very useful.” He added that RMA Cambodia is very happy to share its experience with the younger generation in Cambodia.

RMA Cambodia was established in 1992 in Phnom Penh, and has grown year-on-year to offer a wide range of products and services. With more than 900 employees, RMA Cambodia operations extend throughout the country with 12 different offices and branches. It is a leader in the Automotive, Infrastructure, Engineering and Food Services sectors nationwide. The company’s diverse array of local operations ranges from the food service sector (including local operations Pizza Company, Costa Coffee, and Swensen’s) to heavy equipment (including John Deere) and automobiles (Ford, Jaguar, and Land Rover.)

The American University of Phnom Penh provides a rigorous, principled, American-style educational opportunity to the youth of Cambodia, and is the first and only American-style University in the country. The U.S.-based curriculum is delivered entirely in English, and courses are taught by highly qualified American faculty members with significant teaching experience in the United States.
Another Grade A Student Decides to Come to the American University of Phnom Penh
Date: 2014-10-02T17:14:00

Out Sokphalkun, a student from Siem Reap who received an A grade on the High School National Examination, has decided to study at the American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP). Ms. Out also received an offer of admission from the University of Health Sciences.

Mr. Puy Kea, an advisor to AUPP, said, “Ms. Out originally planned to attend the University of Health Sciences to become a pharmacist, but reconsidered and chose to enroll in AUPP’s Business and Economics program. To be admitted to AUPP’s collegiate program, all applicants are required to take a series of placement tests. Based on Ms. Out’s results, she will complete a Preparatory Semester before being admitted to the University’s collegiate program.”

Only eleven students in the country received an A grade on the National Examination this year. Two of the students, Ms. Out and Ms. Chan Kethyasopheara from Kampong Speu, have chosen AUPP. Seven of the students have decided to go to the University of Health Sciences, and the other two have opted for the Institute of Technology of Cambodia.

In interviews with Dap News, Thmey Thmey and Sabay, Ms. Out said, “After my thorough thoughts and consultations with my parents, I decided to come to AUPP. It is the finest university in Cambodia.”

AUPP is the only American university in Cambodia, providing the same quality education that can be obtained from attending a university in the U.S.

For further information, please visit us at No. 50, St. 315, Boeng Kok II, Toul Kork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia or contact us at 023 990 023 / 097 3258 254 or at info@aupp.edu.kh / www.aupp.edu.kh or Facebook: AmericanUniversityofPhnomPenh.
Harvard Law Professor Speaks at AUPP
Date: 2014-09-20T17:09:00

Harvard Law School Professor Matthew Stephenson was the first visiting speaker of the 2014-15 academic year to address students and faculty at AUPP. In a wide-ranging question-and-answer session, Professor Stephenson spoke about his areas of academic expertise, which include administrative law (“rules about how government agencies make rules,”) legislation and regulation, and the political economy of public law.

Professor Stephenson has a particular interest in anti-corruption law, and is Editor-in-Chief of the website The Global Anticorruption Blog. He is currently in Southeast Asia as part of a research project focusing on how issues of corruption and anti-corruption are related to upcoming regional economic integration within ASEAN.

In answer to questions from the audience, he spoke about the legal and constitutional limitations on the executive powers of the US President, obstacles to the implementation of anti-corruption laws worldwide, and ways in which legal systems can be strengthened in countries where corruption is widespread.

AUPP has a tradition of inviting experts on a variety of topics – especially those related to the major fields of study offered at the university – to visit campus and share their experiences and insights with students and faculty.
AUPP President Meets Minister of Education Youth and Sport
Date: 2014-09-09T17:08:00

American University of Phnom Penh’s President, Dr. Sharon Siverts, was received by the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, H.E. Dr. Hang Chhuon Naron, at the Ministry on 8 September 2014. During the courtesy meeting, Dr. Siverts was accompanied AUPP Vice President for Finance Mr. Russell Rein. The AUPP President expressed her sincere thanks to the Minister for taking time from his busy schedule to meet with the AUPP delegation, and to give her an opportunity to brief the Honorable Minister on AUPP’s missions and goals, as well as to reiterate the University’s strong commitment to quality education.

H.E. Minister Naron commended the AUPP President for her readiness to share her rich expertise in higher education in assisting the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia, ACC, in any way possible to improve the quality assurance process at Cambodia’s higher education institutions. He also expressed his appreciation to AUPP for providing scholarships to ten outstanding Cambodian high school graduates of 2014 with financial need to study at AUPP with full scholarship.