Established in August 2022, the PhD Program in Chemistry plays a pivotal role in supporting Cambodia’s national development priorities. The program is closely aligned with key national policies, including the Pentagon Strategy – Phase I, the Industrial Development Policy of Cambodia, and the Policy on Research and Development in the Education Sector. Guided by its goal of achieving the National Standards by 2029, the program is undertaking curriculum modernization through the FutureFit Education Framework for Outcome-Based Education (FEF-OBE) to strengthen student learning outcomes and research excellence. The program is committed to developing a highly skilled scientific workforce by producing graduates with advanced knowledge, research competency, and practical experience to contribute effectively to critical sectors such as food, healthcare, materials science, and industry.

1. Vision

To be a leading program in chemical research towards excellence and innovation.

2. Missions

• Mission 1: To advance knowledge and skills to support cutting-edge research that expands the frontiers of chemical science and technology.

• Mission 2: To cultivate future leaders who tackle global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative solutions.

• Mission 3: To bridge academia and society by creating a dynamic learning environment that transforms scientific engagement into real-world applications and benefits.

3. Goals

• Goal 1: Advance Frontier Chemical Research and Innovation: To drive the creation of new knowledge, technologies, and methodologies in analytical, materials, and applied chemistry, leading to innovations that address emerging challenges in food, water, electronics, and point-of-care diagnostics.

• Goal 2: Develop Competent, Ethical, and Future Research Leaders: To cultivate graduates with strong research competencies, 21st-century skills, scientific integrity, and the ability to engage in lifelong learning and interdisciplinary collaboration to generate sustainable solutions for society.

• Goal 3: Strengthen Knowledge Transfer and Societal Impact: To enhance linkages between academia, industry, government, and communities by transforming scientific research into practical applications, innovations, and services that support economic, environmental, and public-health development.

4. Graduate Attribute

   The RUPP graduate attributes are underpinned in all courses that we want our graduates who will:

• Be equipped for ongoing learning and inquiry into their personal development for professional practice, opportunities to acquire professional and cultural skills that enable them to engage thoughtfully and effectively in the workplace context that they encounter at work and socially.

• Communicate effectively with the body of knowledge that underpins professional practice and the ability to make informed decisions for achieving goals.

• Commit to fulfilling the actions and responsibilities of a professional and well-rounded citizen and take responsibility for self-management using skills that contribute to personal and career satisfaction and development.

• Have enhanced cultural, social, and ethical awareness and skills, consistent with a positive role as responsible and engaged members of local, national, regional, and professional communities

5. Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

• PEO1: To produce qualified researchers for analytical and materials chemistry in food, water, electronics, and/or point-of-care diagnostic devices that meet the local needs.

• PEO2: To produce graduates with 21^st century skills who are competent in research and development for societal needs and to be lifelong learners.

• PEO3: To produce system thinkers who can solve complex problems related to food, water, electronics, and/or point-of-care diagnostic devices. 

• PEO4: To produce graduates resilient to the rapid change of society. 

6. Program Learning Outcomes

7. Knowledge Domain (MD1)

• PLO1 – Knowledge (MD1, LD1, MKC6): Independently create innovative research methods or solutions addressing complex challenges in analytical and materials chemistry for food, water, electronic, and/or point-of-care diagnostic applications.

2. Cognitive Domain (MD2)

• PLO2 – Cognitive Skills (MD2, LD2, C5): Evaluate complex problems using scientific reasoning and creative thinking to develop innovative solutions addressing needs in food, water, electronic, and/or point-of-care diagnostic applications. 

3. Psychomotor Domain (MD3)

• PLO3 – Psychomotor Skills (MD3, LD3, P6): Operate sophisticated analytical instruments with precision and accuracy to obtain, analyze, and interpret high-quality data.

4. Interpersonal Skills and Responsibility (MD4)

• PLO4 – Interpersonal Skills (MD4, LD4, A5): Collaborate effectively and inclusively with multidisciplinary research teams to advance knowledge and innovation. 

• PLO5 – Responsibility (MD4, LD5, A5): Take full responsibility and initiative in planning, managing, and disseminating original research that upholds scientific integrity, institutional standards, and societal accountability. 

• PLO6 – Entrepreneurial Skills (MD4, LD6, A5): Propose innovative chemistry-based solutions leading to viable products, processes, prototypes, or patents that address societal and industrial challenges. 

• PLO7 – Ethics and Professionalism (MD4, LD7, A4): Uphold professional integrity and ethical standards in conducting and disseminating research and academic activities. 

5. Communication, Information Technology, and Numerical Skill (MD5)

• PLO8 – Communication (MD5, LD8, A5): Communicate complex scientific concepts and research outputs effectively through scholarly publications, conferences, teaching, and public engagement to diverse audiences. 

• PLO9 – Information Technology or Digital Skills (MD5, LD9, P5): Integrate digital tools, computational modeling, and data analytics to enhance experimental design, data interpretation, and data visualization. 

• PLO10 – Numerical Skills (MD5, LD10, C4): Analyze experimental data using advanced qualitative, quantitative, and statistical methods to interpret experimental results intuitively.

7. Program Structure

• Program Structure

Explanation: The credit description of each course shall be defined as follows: 

• Course means subject to study per semester or term.
• The code a (b-c-b) indicates the number of credits and weekly study load. 
• In this example, ‘a’ = number of credits, ‘b’=number of credits for lecture, ‘c’= number of credits for tutorial or practical work, ‘d’= number of credits for Field Work/Internship
• Lecture (Class or Exercise): 15 hours/1 Credit= “b”

• Experiment or Practical Work: 30 hours/1 Credit= “c”

• Field Work/Internship: 45 hours/ 1 Credit= “d”

• Course Flow for PhD in Chemistry 

8. Admission Criteria/ Requirement

The University’s Admissions Policy applies equally to all programs of study. The following are the criteria to be used for selecting candidates for admission: 

• Hold Master's degree in natural science, engineering, or relevant field

• Graduated with thesis research, published a research article, or obtained at least GPA 3.00

• Capable of using English for research and thesis writing

• Passed entrance exam

• Paid tuition fee or awarded scholarship 

   

9. Duration of Study

• Maximum duration is 12 semesters/6years (Full-time students)

• Maximum duration is 16 semesters/8years (Part-time students)

   

10. Graduation Requirement

The program strictly follows the guideline on PhD education of Ministry of Education Youth and Sport (2025). Some main requirements are: 

• Earn minimum credit for graduation: 54 credits

• Pass qualifying exam

• Publish as first author at least 2 papers in local journal or 1 paper in journal indexed in Scopus or Web of Science. 

• Complete thesis book

• Pass thesis defense

   

11. Integration of the Experiential Learning Approaches (ELA) of FutureFit Framework

The table below shows the alignment of PhD program in Chemistry to FutureFit Educational Framework. This program is designed to support more research in the field of Chemistry:

12. Integration of National and Societal Goals of FutureFit Framework

The program is driven by the national goals stated in the below policy documents and farmwork: