The implementation of the professorial ranking system in Cambodia: Opportunities and concerns

Abstract

Cambodia recently implemented an academic ranking system for professorial titles in the education sector under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport through the issuance of two Royal Decrees in 2023 to appoint professors, associate professors, and assistant professors. This article explores the opportunities and plausible concerns associated with this new development, outlining the criteria for professorial appointments and discussing the impact on Cambodia’s higher education and research landscape. The opportunities arising from the implementation of the Royal Decree on Professorship are various, including increased interest in research and publication among Cambodian academics and the development of a performance-based academic system, which provide greater hope and a more positive outlook for the development of academic research in Cambodia. However, this development may lead to potential unethical academic practices, such as a surge in proxy writing and publication in predatory or low-quality journals. The article provides some recommendations to enhance the good practices of the academic ranking system in Cambodian higher education by highlighting the salient criteria for professorship assessment and mechanisms to improve its implementation. It concludes that the implementation of the professorial ranking system is a commendable step towards academic excellence in Cambodia, fostering a culture of meritocracy and providing a well-defined career path for university academics in Cambodia.