University of Seoul Takes on Solving Urban Issues in Cambodia

Cambodia Phnompen-si Deputy Mayor Delegation Visits University of Seoul

Nuon Pharat, Deputy Mayor of Phnom Penh City, along with seven other deputy mayors, visited the University of Seoul (President Won Yong-geol) on the 5th to discuss strengthening educational cooperation for solving urban issues between the University of Seoul and Phnom Penh City. At the University of Seoul, President Won Yong-geol and Lee Shin, Dean of the Graduate School of International Urban Sciences, attended the meeting.

The Deputy Mayor of Phnom Penh City, Nuon Pharat, visited the University of Seoul on the 5th and discussed future educational and research cooperation with President Won Yong-geol and the faculty of the Graduate School of International Urban Sciences.
[Image source=University of Seoul]

Deputy Mayor Nuon Pharat stated, "Smart city development is a key project focused on solving Cambodia's urban problems," emphasizing exchange and cooperation centered on smart cities. He also highlighted the importance of educating local city officials to address urban issues and expressed gratitude for the master's degree program for city officials from Seoul's international cooperation sister cities, operated by the Graduate School of International Urban Sciences.

President Won expressed appreciation for Phnom Penh's student dispatch and administrative support and emphasized continuous educational and research cooperation in the future. In particular, he requested cooperation for the ongoing project at the University of Seoul to operate the Department of Sustainable Urban Planning and Development at the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

Deputy Mayor Nuon Pharat also showed a strong willingness for active future cooperation, stating that "linking the education of the Department of Sustainable Urban Planning and Development at the Royal University of Phnom Penh with Phnom Penh City projects and research could be a great opportunity" to solve various urban problems in Phnom Penh. Furthermore, as a cooperation plan through triangular cooperation among the University of Seoul, Royal University of Phnom Penh, and Phnom Penh City Hall, he proposed a specific cooperation plan, saying, "We intend to conduct research and small-scale pilot urban planning projects planned by Phnom Penh City through the classes and research of the Department of Urban Planning at the Royal University of Phnom Penh."

Meanwhile, the University of Seoul has been operating the 'Establishment of an Urban Planning Education System at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia' project since 2021 through the International Cooperation Leading University Project supported by the Ministry of Education. In cooperation with the Royal University of Phnom Penh, it has established and operated Cambodia's first independent Department of Urban Planning. The university also maintains continuous cooperative relations with Phnom Penh City by dispatching student volunteer groups to Phnom Penh.