On the morning of Monday, February 24, 2025, a delegation from the World Bank and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS), led by Mr. Cristian Aedo, the World Bank Practice Manager for Education, East Asia and Pacific Region, and Dr. Nguon Sokcheng, conducted a visit to the National University of Battambang (NUBB).
During their visit, the delegation toured the STEM laboratory building and various laboratories including civil engineering, networking, programming, electrical and electronics, agriculture, and food processing departments. They also met with current students engaged in studies and research, as well as staff and officers in charge.
This marks the second visit following the first visit by Ms. Tania Meyer, Country Manager, on February 5, 2025. H.E. Sok Khorn, Rector of the National University of Battambang, along with the university’s leadership team, met with the delegation to showcase the experiences in implementing HEIP and key achievements such as increased student enrollment, particularly female students, implementation of improved educational programs, employment rates of graduates, staff capacity development, research outcomes, construction of the STEM laboratory building and agricultural training and research building, new construction projects for learning spaces and business incubators, and preparation plans for implementing the second phase of HEIP.
Mr. Cristian Aedo expressed his high appreciation for the efforts of the leadership and all staff, demonstrating ownership and high responsibility that has led to positive achievements and transformations. He encouraged the university to collaborate with specialized technology and digital universities to promote the use of artificial intelligence in educational programs, teaching and learning, and research to align with educational technology trends. He also commended the university’s connections with various high schools to provide information about appropriate specialization choices for high school graduates, which serves as an excellent model for increasing equitable access to higher education.
Furthermore, World Bank education specialists expressed support for the Rector’s initiative to establish a research fund, which will be implemented in 2025, as a positive sign in promoting research outcomes that can serve socioeconomic development and progress in the region and nation.
In conclusion, Dr. Nguon Sokcheng expressed gratitude for the World Bank’s continuous support in developing the higher education sub-sector as well as the entire education sector, and praised the efforts of the leadership, officials, and staff of the National University of Battambang.
The delegation’s visit concluded at 12:00 PM in a warm and friendly atmosphere, with productive outcomes for the preparation of implementing the second phase of HEIP.
