University of Battambang

Governments and accreditation bodies, as well as world university rankings, have a critical impact on the strategic agenda of institutions of higher learning. This chapter presents a critical analysis of the impact of external governance arrangements, encompassing national states, accreditation bodies, and world rankings, on the strategic agenda of institutions of higher learning in such matters as curricula and research, globalization and internationalization, and organizational governance. On the basis of desk research and an integrative synthesis of the literature, this chapter explores the ambivalent impact of such external influences.

Poorly targeted antibiotic use in primary care is a driver of antimicrobial resistance. Electronic clinical decision support algorithms (eCDSAs) integrating point-of-care tests may improve prescribing. We evaluated the impact of an eCDSA on antibiotic prescriptions among febrile patients attending primary health centres in Cambodia. In this cluster randomised controlled trial, 30 PHCs in Battambang Province were randomised (1:1) to either adopt the eCDSA or routine care. The eCDSA integrated clinical assessment with pulse oximetry and C-reactive protein tests. Patients aged ≥1 year with acute febrile illness were eligible. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients prescribed antibiotics, using an age- and sex-adjusted generalised linear mixed model, incorporating PHC as a random effect. Secondary outcomes included hospital referral rates and self-reported recovery at 7 and 14 days. Between May 2024 and January 2025, 4752 patients were enrolled (2324 intervention; 2428 control). Crude proportions of patients prescribed antibiotics were 56.1% and 60.5% in intervention and control arms, respectively. No difference in prescribing rates between the arms was detected (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.64; 95% CI: 0.20-1.99; P = 0.44). Among patients for whom the eCDSA did not recommend antibiotics, almost half (45.6%) received a prescription. Hospital referral was rare (2.0%) and most patients reported full recovery within 7 days (94.3%). This eCDSA did not reduce antibiotic prescription in this setting. Relatively low adherence to the eCDSA's recommendations suggests that, to support a change in prescribing behaviour, future iterations of this intervention should incorporate enhanced training, greater adaptation to local health sector, and deeper engagement with frontline healthcare workers.

Abstract: The author of this study, Dasariah, starts from the increasing prevalence of domestic violence in Christian families. The result of this domestic violence is a high divorce rate. The writing of this topic is also based on the church's seeming tendency to still rely on normative advice and prioritise textual interpretation to create Christian family wholeness, without addressing the problems of congregants who are victims of domestic violence. The main research question formulated in this study is: How can the development of church members be framed as a pastoral practice that supports the recovery of victims of domestic violence? In elaborating on this topic, the researcher applied a qualitative method with a pastoral theological approach. The findings of this study indicate that domestic violence experienced by the congregation often takes various forms. Often, the church responds to congregants experiencing domestic violence in a normative manner, and the victim's issues are treated as secondary. That's why the church guides by creating a safe space for the congregation to speak honestly without fear, and by collaborating with counselling institutions to heal the wounds of congregants who have experienced domestic violence. Abstrak: Dasariah penulis kajian ini berangkat dari semakin maraknya kekerasan dalam rumah tangga yang terjadi dalam keluarga Kristen. Akibat dari KDRT ini menyebabkan tingginya angka perceraian. Penulisan topik ini juga didasarkan pada gereja yang seakan masih cenderung bertumpu pada pemberian nasihat bersifat normatif dan mengutamakan tafsir teks demi menciptakan keutuhan keluarga Kristen, tanpa penyelesaian problem jemaat yang menjadi korban KDRT. Rumusan pertanyaan penelitian utama yang diajukan dari kajian ini bagaimana pembinaan warga gereja dapat dirumuskan sebagai praksis pastoral yang berpihak pada pemulihan korban KDRT? Di dalam menguraikan topik ini, peneliti menerapkan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan teologi pastoral. Hasil temuan kajian ini mengemukakan bahwa kekerasan dalam rumah tangga yang dialami oleh jemaat sering kali hadir dalam berbagai bentuk. Acap kali gereja merespons jemaat yang mengalami KDRT bersikap normatif dan masalah korban ditempatkan bersifat sekunder. Itu sebabnya gereja melakukan pembinaan dengan memberikan ruang aman bagi jemaat tanpa takut bersuara secara jujur, serta berkolaborasi dengan lembaga pendampingan guna penyembuhan luka jemaat yang mengalami KDRT.

AMR is a serious health issue in the 21st century as infections caused by resistant organisms become harder to treat, leading to longer illnesses, more hospital visits, and a higher risk of death. In parallel, it is also affecting Cambodia's health and economy. This study aims to understand rural veterinarians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antimicrobial resistance in a northern province of Cambodia. The target districts were purposefully chosen and include Battambang City, Sangkae District, Moung Russei District, and Bavel District. Village Animal Health Workers (VAHWs) were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. All respondents, all of whom were veterinarians, were male. Among them, 33% had completed primary education, while only 4% had completed higher education. The services provided by VAHWs and in treatment are not significantly different (P>0.05), with the majority of services being for cattle (100%), swine (71%), and buffaloes (7%). However, all veterinarians (100%) were aware of antimicrobial resistance, with 44% learning about it through training courses. Among these, 84% expressed concern, citing increased difficulty in treatment and diagnosis. Furthermore, 61% believed antibiotics could be used for prevention, while 26% used them to promote growth. It is concluded that antimicrobial resistance in Battambang is a serious concern. Therefore, VAHWs should be empowered through capacity-building, and relevant institutions should strengthen regulations governing the use of veterinary medicines to promote better practices. Additionally, the phrase 'use antibiotics with caution' should be included on packaging in Khmer script.

Aligned with Cambodia's Education Strategic Plan 2024–2028, this study examines the relationship between the Model Primary School Standards (MPSS) framework and student learning outcomes. Utilizing a qualitative design involving focus groups and interviews with 52 stakeholders in Pailin province, the research identified seven core factors facilitating implementation success, revealing that MPSS improves learning through enhanced instructional quality, school-community collaboration, and effective leadership. While resource limitations and varying engagement levels remain challenges, the findings underscore the efficacy of standards-based, context-responsive reforms. Consequently, this study offers practical recommendations for policymakers and lays the groundwork for future quantitative and comparative research to evaluate the program's long-term sustainability and nationwide scalability.

The Royal Government of Cambodia has introduced a range of educational and strategic policies to advance educational technology and strengthen digital literacy across the national education system. Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into teaching and learning is among the most widely adopted innovations. While AI in mathematics education has gained increasing traction regionally and globally, its impact on Cambodian students' and teachers' experiences remains underexplored. This study seeks to address this gap by examining the perceptions of university students and mathematics teachers regarding AI-supported mathematics education, with particular attention to perceived benefits, challenges, and its potential to enhance learning outcomes. Using a qualitative research approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 participants from various high schools, providing insights into the opportunities and constraints of AI integration in the Cambodian context.

This chapter examines the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revolutionize Cambodian higher education by tackling existing issues and capitalizing on possibilities to develop a future-oriented curriculum. It analyzes the principles of AI technology, international trends in AI education, and the higher education framework in Cambodia, encompassing systemic constraints in funding, quality, and infrastructure. The chapter advocates for strategic initiatives like curriculum reform, faculty development, student participation via AI tools, and collaborations with international institutions and technology firms. This chapter underscores the significance of supportive policies and governance, advocating for the incorporation of AI to improve educational outcomes, foster innovation, and equip Cambodian students for a rapidly evolving, AI-centric future.

This chapter responds to Cambodia's primary leadership role in fostering teaching collaboration and professional growth within a system that has barely started acknowledging the significance of collaboration and continuous research capacity development. Faced with the stresses of challenges as disparate as limited resources to teacher experience variation, leaders have managed through interventions intended to foster cooperation through participatory decision-making, communication, and tailored professional learning opportunities. Case interviews and studies indicate that Cambodian university administrators place importance on establishing trust, involving faculty members, researchers, and networking in the sharing of best practices. This collaboration has improved the motivation of faculty members, teaching quality, and student achievement. Limitations of professional development and research capacity building, such as financial, geographic, and cultural differences, are also addressed in this chapter.

Context Rapid agrarian changes in north-west Cambodia have led to extensive deforestation for upland crop cultivation. Aims This study assessed the impact of four land-use types on soil chemical and biological properties and indicators of soil health. Methods The four land uses were fallow (16 years since forest conversion), maize–cassava (14 years), mango (16 years), and mango–cassava intercropping (15 years). Soil organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks, chemical properties, and macro-/meso-fauna were measured at four depths. Soil health indicators were assessed at 0–10 cm: permanganate oxidisable carbon (POXC), aggregation, water infiltration, and visual evaluation of soil structure. Key results Agricultural lands showed lower topsoil C than fallow, with mango–cassava intercropping exhibiting a C depletion rate of −1.42 Mg C ha−1 y−1. Significant N depletion occurred under maize–cassava and mango–cassava (−250 and −260 kg N ha−1 y−1, respectively). Maize–cassava had a higher C/N ratio due to lower N concentrations. Water aggregate stability and POXC were significantly lower under mango–cassava and maize–cassava. Soil fauna abundance and richness were reduced in agricultural lands. Conclusions The forest conversion to agriculture negatively impacted topsoil C (38% loss), labile C (35–70% loss), soil aggregation, and soil fauna. Implications These findings highlight the need to evaluate the costs of soil fertility depletion and explore and promote alternative management practices such as conservation agriculture and agroforestry, alongside financial mechanisms for soil restoration.