The World Bank’s Higher Education Improvement Project has contributed to advances in Cambodia’s higher education system, with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The project aims to improve the quality of both teaching and research at public universities throughout the country.
Since its start, the project has supported more than 128,000 students in Cambodia. Over half of these students are women. They have gained practical skills that are considered important for today’s labor market. The first phase included constructing new facilities and updating curricula to better match industry needs.
At the National University of Battambang, one of nine institutions benefiting from the initiative, students have access to modern laboratories and research centers. Lan Ly, a third-year food processing student, said her choice of study was influenced by Cambodia’s agricultural sector: “I chose this subject because Cambodia is an agricultural country,” she explained. “We grow a lot of fruit and vegetables. If we can process them well, we can enhance the quality of local products and even compete for export.”
Lan won first prize at the Khmer Enterprise Entrepreneurial Competition in October 2023 after developing a beetroot powder formula in the university’s STEM building laboratory.
Students from other disciplines also benefit from upgraded resources. Sak Mengseu, an information technology student, commented on the importance of equipment for his studies: “I can’t afford a high-performance computer for coding,” he said. “The STEM building has made reaching my aspirations possible.” Civil engineering student Thay Thatthai described how hands-on experience in the lab prepared him for work: “This real-world practice strengthens my skills and abilities,” he said. “My internship helped me gain deeper understanding and gave me practical advantages on-site.”
Lecturer Roern Lymeng outlined how students build their skills over time: “In their first year, they are introduced to the equipment and learn proper lab procedures. In the second year, they conduct research related to their coursework. By the third year, many are volunteering or interning in the lab, building practical skills and experience.”
The project provided funding not only for buildings but also for academic programs—67 new programs were set up nationwide—and professional development opportunities for staff members. More than 540 university employees have received training or pursued advanced degrees abroad.
Enrollment at Battambang University increased significantly since joining the project; numbers rose from 300 students in 2018 to more than 7,600 by 2025. His Excellency Sok Khorn, rector of the university, remarked on this growth: “What amazes me most, and fills me with pride, is that more than 65 percent of our students are women, and most have chosen to study science and technology,” says H.E. Sok.
Continuous improvements have been observed among graduates as well. Hun Siya heads the food processing department: “They have become more creative, more intelligent, and more courageous than they were. The university’s laboratories allow students to transform ideas into real products, participate in competitions, and showcase their work publicly.” She is currently pursuing a Ph.D., supported by funds from the project’s second phase.
Cambodian students’ participation now extends beyond national borders; some recently earned second place at an international coding competition held in China.
The Higher Education Improvement Project also connects universities with local businesses through outreach initiatives aimed at improving product quality and fostering innovation among enterprises in northwest Cambodia.
A planned $80 million second phase will reach over 32,000 additional students by updating curricula further and digitizing educational delivery systems.
These efforts align with ongoing attempts by Cambodian authorities to strengthen links between higher education institutions and industry needs—a move seen as vital for employment opportunities and economic development across sectors such as agriculture https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/cambodia/overview#1.