Understanding Cambodian Provincial University Students’ Perspectives on Cambodia’s Vision to Become a Knowledge-Based Society

Abstract

This study examines the perspectives of Cambodian provincial university students about Cambodia’s vision to transform itself into a knowledge-based society. The study employed a qualitative approach to gather data to answer three research questions. Based on in-depth interviews with 21 university students from three provinces, including Battambang, Siem Reap, and Svay Rieng, it was found that Cambodian university students had a superficial understanding of the term knowledge-based society. They were ambivalent, expressing both optimism and pessimism, when it came to Cambodian universities’ contributions to supporting Cambodia’s development into a knowledge society. The study also revealed a number of challenges facing university students in provincial Cambodia, such as limited access to educational resources and opportunities, inadequate opportunities for gaining practical knowledge and skills needed for the job market, and other issues of various nature. The study sheds light on how Cambodian university students perceive Cambodia’s aspirations for becoming a knowledge-based society and has implications for policy, practice, and future research.