Governance, Policy and Politics

Do you want to become an expert on policies within the labor market? And would you like to analyze how companies and their employees interact with each other? Then a major in Industrial Relations is just right for you.

The following universities offer this major:

• IIC University of Technology, Phnom Penh

_{Please be aware that the majors offered by universities change over time and that the overview given on this page might not be entirely up to date. We advise you to do your own research on the university’s website or to contact the university’s student affairs office to check that they offer the major of your choice.}

Are you interested in an international perspective? During the major International Relations, you will learn everything about how different countries and regions around the world interact or cooperate and which factors have an influence on this interaction. It focuses on both global politics and economics.

Interview with International Relations students and graduates

THOU Maradydewoo (20), THOU Kinthea (21) and SOK Sothvichea (23) are studying International Relations at Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia. Sokumthea (22) acquired a bachelor degree in IR at the Royal University of Phnom Penh and Chin has just graduated in IR at the University of Cambodia. They chose this major because political and social interaction is of global importance and they enjoyed history, world politics and global issues. Chin adds that his interest in this field began as a child when he first met foreign visitors.

In this major you learn how to analyse, solve problems, communicate, do research and provide evidence, and to think critically. You also get a good understanding of each theory, ideology and even psychology. What they like is that you get a clear idea of what is going on at home and abroad. Favourite subjects are amongst others UN, Internal Law, Negotiation and Diplomacy, study of the NGOs and Human Rights Laws.

The workload depends on the year you are in; reading and research take about 6 hours a day and you study 4-5 days a week. You also have to do teamwork and participate in group discussions. Kimthea adds that you will have to submit a term paper once a year, so good planning is essential.

In the future Maradydewoo would like to work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Kimthea would like to work as a PO in an NGO; Sokumthea in interested in a position with an IO or NGO and Chin would like to be a diplomat or representative of Cambodia.

The students agree that if you are interested in this major you should focus on the high school subjects of History, Civic Society and Geography. It is also important that you are interested in politics, laws, global issues and diplomacy and that you realise that English is essential for research. You should pay special attention to your reading skills as well.

The following universities offer this major:

• Asia Euro University, Phnom Penh
• Beltei International University, Phnom Penh
• International University, Phnom Penh
• National Institute of Business, Phnom Penh
• Norton University, Phnom Penh
• Panha Chiet University, Phnom Penh
• Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia, Phnom Penh
• Phnom Penh International University, Phnom Penh
• Royal University of Law and Economics, Phnom Penh
• Royal University of Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh
• University of Cambodia, Phnom Penh
• University of Southeast Asia, Siem Reap
• Western University, Phnom Penh

_{Please be aware that the majors offered by universities change over time and that the overview given on this page might not be entirely up to date. We advise you to do your own research on the university’s website or to contact the university’s student affairs office to check that they offer the major of your choice.}

Do you want to gain general knowledge of the political landscape? A major in Political science focuses on studying national and international governments. You will learn how political decisions and policies are made and how they affect society. You will also acquire knowledge about topics such as conflicts that exist in the world, international relations, and political organizations.

Interview with a Political Science student

Bunna Vann (25) is a Research Fellow at the Cambodian Institute of Cooperation and Peace. He is also a Political Science master student in year 2 at the Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, India. He chose this major because he is strongly interested in social work, and political and social news.
So far Political Thought, Democratization and World History are the three subjects he has likes most in this major. Political thought because you learn about diverse political thinkers and philosophers, why states exist and what form of government would suit a nation. Democratization explains why democracy has been widely adopted and World History provides an insight into the development of the world so far. He also enjoys the debates and discussions, because these provide a sense to value different points of view and respect others.
For this major, students need a lot of time for self-study and research. Bunna Vann usually spends 6 days a week on homework and assignments.
In the future Bunna Vann wants to be a political scientist or a government official.

According to Bunna Vann, high school subjects that are important for this major are History, Geography (in this major geopolitics are important) and English because most documents are in English. If you want to study this major you should be really interested in social work and in analysing political and social news. 

The following universities offer this major:

• Angkor University, Siem Reap
• Asia Euro University, Phnom Penh
• City University, Phnom Penh
• Dewey International University, Battambang
• IIC University of Technology, Phnom Penh
• International University, Phnom Penh
• Khmer University of Technology and Management, Sihanoukville
• Panha Chiet University, Phnom Penh
• Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia, Phnom Penh
• Paragon International University, Phnom Penh
• University of Cambodia, Phnom Penh
• University of Management and Economics, Battambang
• University of Southeast Asia, Siem Reap

_{Please be aware that the majors offered by universities change over time and that the overview given on this page might not be entirely up to date. We advise you to do your own research on the university’s website or to contact the university’s student affairs office to check that they offer the major of your choice.}

Are you interested in leadership, management, and administration roles, but prefer to work in the public service sector rather than commercial businesses? Then the major in Public Administration is the right choice for you. After this major, you will know everything about policy, governance, and management within governmental organizations.

Interview with a Public Administration student

CHHOURN Sophany (23) is pursuing his bachelor degree in Public Administration. He chose this major because it is related to the Public Sector of the government and he wanted to be involved in developing the community.  What he liked about his major is that he now understands more about public service, which will help him become a public officer and a leader in his community.
What he disliked is that the theory of politics in his major is different from practice. He says he studied for 20 hours a week, this involved teamwork and individual work. What he liked best was the subject of Philosophy because it makes you understand more about the way people live and behave now and in the future.

According to Sophany the high school subjects of History, Sociology and Citizen Morality are very important for this major as they are related to social science.
His tips for students who are interested in this major: Find out more about this major by discussing it with your teacher and with specialists in this field before you decide; also find out what you want to do after you graduate.

The following universities offer this major:

• Asia Euro University, Phnom Penh
• Build Bright University Banteay Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey
• Build Bright University Battambang, Battambang
• Build Bright University Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh
• Build Bright University Siem Reap, Siem Reap
• Build Bright University Sihanoukville, Sihanoukville
• Build Bright University Takeo, Takeo
• IIC University of Technology, Phnom Penh
• International University, Phnom Penh
• Khmer University of Technology and Management, Sihanoukville
• Norton University, Phnom Penh
• Panha Chiet University, Phnom Penh
• Royal University of Law and Economics, Phnom Penh
• Svay Rieng University, Svay Rieng
• University of Cambodia, Phnom Penh
• University of Management and Economics, Battambang
• University of Southeast Asia, Siem Reap
• Western University, Phnom Penh

_{Please be aware that the majors offered by universities change over time and that the overview given on this page might not be entirely up to date. We advise you to do your own research on the university’s website or to contact the university’s student affairs office to check that they offer the major of your choice.}

Do you want to contribute to society and come up with solutions to social issues? Are you looking for a major that is focused on policymaking? With a major in Public Policy, you will learn about the ins and outs of policymaking and which parties are involved in this. Also, you gain a deep understanding of how certain decisions affect society.

The following universities offer this major:

• University of Cambodia, Phnom Penh

_{Please be aware that the majors offered by universities change over time and that the overview given on this page might not be entirely up to date. We advise you to do your own research on the university’s website or to contact the university’s student affairs office to check that they offer the major of your choice.}