The University of Notre Dame Australia has welcomed a representative from Cambodia’s Saint Paul Institute (SPI) to its Fremantle Campus for a two-month visit aimed at strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two institutions.
Saint Paul Institute is Cambodia’s sole Catholic University, and a key overseas partner of Notre Dame.
SPI Head of Student Life Office, Kong Douch, visited Fremantle over winter term to learn more about Notre Dame, spend time with staff and students and explore opportunities to grow the relationship.
The visit builds on a partnership between the institutions that began 12 years ago when Notre Dame students first travelled to Cambodia for a short-term exchange program.
Since then, Notre Dame students have taken part in regular two-week exchange programs to Cambodia, building connections with SPI students through shared learning and cultural experiences.
Mr Kong said the visit had given him valuable insights into university life in Australia and ideas he would take back to Cambodia to benefit the students at SPI.
“My big goal when I came here was to learn new things,” he said.
“I had an amazing experience learning about life here, and about education at Notre Dame and the way the University supports students.
“I think I can use these experiences to improve my university and support our students in Cambodia.”
Mr Kong is now exploring an International Partnership Project between Notre Dame, SPI and Sophia University in Japan.
This would include a wider student exchange program, volunteers from Notre Dame travelling to SPI to teach English, online courses, research collaboration, SPI student visits to Australia and Japan, and a broader staff exchange program.
During his time in Western Australia, Mr Kong met with academics and gained a deeper understanding of Notre Dame’s approach to teaching and student support.
He attended classes while also taking part in a cultural program that included visits around Fremantle, Perth and the Perth Hills.
Mr Kong said the visit had been a great opportunity to experience a different culture, meet new people and learn from another university.
He said he hoped the relationship between SPI and Notre Dame would continue to grow, with more opportunities for students and staff to visit, learn and collaborate.
“Different places, different universities and different people all have different ideas,” he said.
“When we work together and we see those differences, we can learn from them and find a way to improve what we do.”
Notre Dame’s Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Science, Law and Business, Professor Martin Drum, said the visit highlighted the value of international partnerships and the opportunities they create.
“Our partnership with Saint Paul Institute has provided meaningful learning experiences for students and staff for more than a decade,” Professor Drum said.
“It has been a pleasure to welcome Mr Kong to Fremantle and to share ideas with him. We look forward to continuing to strengthen this relationship and create new opportunities for collaboration in the future.”
Media Contact: media@nd.edu.au