Cambodia Investment Review
The American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Royal Group Securities (RGS), marking a strategic move to enhance academic-industry collaboration and provide real-world financial sector experience for students in Cambodia.
The agreement was formalized in a signing ceremony between AUPP President Dr. Malcolm McIver and RGS CEO Mr. Seng Chan Thoeun. The event was attended by prominent guests, including H.E. Sou Socheat, Director General of the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC), H.E. Hong Sok Hou, and Mr. Din Pichar, underscoring the significance of the initiative for Cambodia’s growing capital markets sector.
Strengthening Academic-Industry Integration
The partnership aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry practice through a range of collaborative activities. Under the MoU, RGS will offer internship placements to AUPP students, providing them with exposure to real-time securities operations and trading practices.
Faculty members at AUPP will also benefit from the partnership through involvement in joint consulting projects with RGS, allowing for a dynamic exchange of knowledge between academia and the private sector. These collaborations are expected to bring new insights into both teaching and market-based applications.
In addition to internships and joint projects, the agreement will facilitate company immersion sessions for students and staff, where participants can observe RGS operations firsthand. Guest lectures delivered by RGS senior executives will also be organized, offering valuable perspectives on Cambodia’s financial markets.
Promoting Financial Literacy and Market Participation
To kick off the partnership, AUPP hosted a special session on the Cambodian Securities Exchange Market, attended by university students. The session covered trading practices, regulatory frameworks, and the mechanics of market operations — equipping students with foundational knowledge for future finance careers.
Plans are also underway for AUPP and RGS to co-host finance-related conferences in Cambodia, aimed at fostering thought leadership, industry networking, and the promotion of capital market development within the Kingdom.
Building Cambodia’s Future Financial Talent
Speaking after the event, AUPP representatives emphasized that the partnership aligns with the university’s mission to provide students with practical learning opportunities and industry exposure. By working directly with capital market players such as RGS, AUPP students will be better positioned to enter the workforce with relevant skills and professional networks.
AUPP is Cambodia’s only university offering an American-style curriculum with dual US-accredited degree programs. It currently provides 13 undergraduate majors across its Schools of Business, Digital Technologies, Law, and Social Sciences.
The university is actively recruiting for its Fall intake and continues to prioritize academic excellence, global standards, and strong industry links to shape the Kingdom’s next generation of business and policy leaders.
For more information, visit: www.aupp.edu.kh
