Ban on Thesis Topics Needed, Scholars Say
Academics at the Royal University of Law and Economics defended banning thesis topics for fourth-year students, arguing that subjects such as illegal drug use and land disputes are written about too often at the school. In a Feb. 2 letter posted online and signed by the university’s research director Kong Saphon, graduating students have been barred from writing about 14 topics including the management and functions of the Cambodian Red Cross, work-related disputes and Cambodia’s newly-launched stock exchange. … The university’s vice rector Luy Channa said students have submitted theses on the same 14 topics for years – despite the fact that Cambodia’s stock exchange only launched in July and its first initial public offering is yet to happen. … Am Sam Ath, technical adviser at local rights group Licadho, said the banned topics represent some of the country’s most important issues and should be researched in greater depth by law students. ….
