Cambodia Lacks Research Enough To Tackle Its Problems, Analysts Say
Not enough priority is given to research in Cambodia, threatening its long term development, economists and other experts say. Larry Strange, executive director of the Cambodian Development Research Institute, says the country cannot plan for major reform, build its economy, or reduce poverty without proper analysis of its ongoing challenges. … The low quality of Cambodia’s educational institutions, especially in higher education, along with limited investment in them, are also factors, Strange said. … Cambodia’s investment in research is so low that it is not ranked by the World Bank. But according to government statistics, about 275 post-graduate students, about 2.2 percent, are currently studying research and development. This includes research in economics, agriculture, the environment and good governance. Mak Ngoy, general director of the higher education department at the Ministry of Education, said that despite low government investment, it is committed to pushing for more research, and that funding has increased in recent years. That includes a World Bank project of $3.2 million to improve higher education and fund 31 research proposals from students in public and private universities. …
