Strengthening the North: MoEYS Reviews Higher Education Excellence at Meanchey National University
BANTEAY MEANCHEY, February 25, 2026 — H.E. Dr. San Vatana, Secretary of State for MoEYS and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Meanchey National University (NMU), led a strategic assessment of higher education standards in Banteay Meanchey province today.
Met by H.E. Chea Seoun, Rector of NMU, the leadership team focused on a singular vision recently echoed by the Deputy Prime Minister: “A strong nation needs strong higher education.”
Key Strategic Pillars Discussed
The meeting served as a comprehensive audit of the university’s operations, focusing on the following areas to improve student outcomes:
- Pedagogical Review: Assessing the current learning and teaching processes to ensure professors are using modern, effective methods.
- Scholarship Expansion: Streamlining the grant process to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent talented local students from pursuing a degree.
- Recruitment & Retention: Designing new incentives and outreach plans to encourage high school graduates in the region to continue their education at the university level.
- Institutional Readiness: Ensuring the university is fully prepared for the upcoming academic intake with updated curriculum and facilities.
The Impact on Regional Development
From our perspective at Schools Cambodia, the development of Meanchey National University is critical for the economic future of Northwestern Cambodia. A strong provincial university:
- Reduces Urban Migration: Allowing students to stay in their home provinces keeps talent and resources within the local economy.
- Supports Local Industry: Tailoring research and teaching to meet the specific needs of Banteay Meanchey’s agriculture, trade, and tourism sectors.
- Promotes Equity: Providing rural students with the same high-level scholarship opportunities found in the capital.
The commitment shown by H.E. Dr. San Vatana emphasizes that the Ministry is dedicated to modernizing “Duraseksa” (learning) across the entire Kingdom, ensuring that no province is left behind in the journey toward a knowledge-based economy.