College renews ‘fruitful’ collaboration with Cambodian university

June 18, 2024

The Purdue University College of Education renewed a five-year Letter of Intent (LOI) between the College and the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) at a special signing ceremony on May 28, 2024, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Wayne E. Wright, associate dean for research, graduate programs and faculty development, represented the College at the signing, with Tith Mab, Director of the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL), signing on behalf of RUPP. The official LOI will also be signed electronically by Phillip J. VanFossen, interim dean of the College.

“Renewing this Letter of Intent with the Royal University of Phnom Penh allows us to continue to explore exciting opportunities for collaboration, including expanding student and faculty exchanges, and sharing our faculty expertise in second-language acquisition,” VanFossen said.

Wright (center), with Virak Chan to his left and Tith Mab to his right, holding the signed Letter of Intent and joined by colleagues from IFL and Purdue Study Abroad students from the College of Education.
Wright (center), with Virak Chan to his left and Tith Mab to his right , hold the signed Letter of Intent and joined by colleagues from IFL and Purdue Study Abroad students from the College of Education. (Photo provided by Wayne Wright)

“Our collaboration with RUPP over the past five years has been quite fruitful,” said Wright, citing these points:

  • RUPP hosting the College’s Cambodia Study Abroad program, providing meeting space and guest lectures, and collaboration opportunities with local students (2019, 2023, 2024)
  • RUPP and the College jointly holding a two-week workshop series on language teaching and learning for Purdue students and IFL faculty, staff, students and local teachers. Presenters included Purdue and IFL faculty and students (2023, 2024)
  • Four RUPP graduates and/or faculty currently pursuing PhDs in the College
  • RUPP providing support for Purdue faculty and grad students conducting research at IFL
  • Discussions regarding potential further exchange and collaboration programs

Wright thanked Virak Chan, clinical associate professor of literacy and language, for his outstanding leadership in forming this important and beneficial partnership and for his work on the LOI renewal.

Source: Wayne E. Wright, wewright@purdue.edu