CBC Alumni Magazine

Rector of Royal University of Phnom Penh

H.E. Dr. CHET Chealy

Over the last 15 years, The Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) in collaboration with Fauna & Flora International (FFI) has been building a new generation of conservation scientists to address the need for biodiversity conservation in Cambodia, through building and providing essential technical skills, applied research experiences, dissemination of information and other resources, and collaboration with government, non-government and academic sectors.

Until now we have produced around 100 qualified MSc. in Biodiversity Conservation graduates, many of whom have gone to conserve and manage the exceptionally rich biodiversity and natural resources of Cambodia. They are now employed by various institutions within the country includes local and international NGOs, government, and academic sectors, and many of our graduates now involved in decision making.

For greater success and impact, networking and collaboration are key to improve our capacity, exchange knowledge and experiences, and share resources. Seeing this need, I would like to encourage you all to share your stories with us and keep in touch. It is always a privilege to hear from our alumni.

Sincerely,

H.E. Dr. CHET Chealy

The Goal Is Not To Finish the Race

A one-week, non-stop walk up and down the mountain ranges and jungles of the Cardamom Mountains, and being stricken with malaria disease were the toughest experiences of mine working as a conservationist with CBC. At the same time, I deeply enjoyed the beauty of the landscapes of the Cardamoms, which contained beautiful fields of pitcher plants, high waterfalls, cloud-scraping mount peaks, beautiful grasslands, not to mention the deciduous forest of the eastern landscapes. I also had a great experience with my colleagues, students, and researchers spending time together in the field, setting camp, sharing food, enjoying jokes, conducting research and studying, and many more wonderful memories.

I am so proud that to this day we keep producing qualified MSc graduates. These alumni are crucial human resources for the government, universities, and conservation NGOs, and they are still being eagerly sought, which proves there is real impact. We are still a young nation, so capacity, skill, education, and awareness on conservation and research are far more needed for Cambodia.

Finally, conservation is impossible to do alone! Please reach out for assistance; CBC is always there to share, support, and collaborate.

Sincerely,

Dr. ITH Saveng

Credit: Chaderwan UNG

The Achievements of CBC So Far . . .

Dr. Stephen BROWNE, Fauna & Flora International

Director of Operations, Asia-Pacific

Cambodia’s biodiversity is of international importance, but it is highly threatened and Fauna & Flora International, its supporters and its Government of Cambodia partners all recognized that a need to build local capacity was essential if these threats are to be addressed. With that in mind FFI undertook a needs assessment in the late 1990s, and from that the Masters in Biodiversity Conservation, the Cambodian Journal of Natural History and the Museum of Natural History were created in partnership with the Royal University of Phnom Penh, under the auspices of the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation (CBC).

To date, the greatest achievement of CBC is its legacy of producing high quality Masters (MSc.) students. The MSc. programme has trained 250 Cambodians, and nearly 100 students will have graduated from the programme by this July. More than 70% of them are working in the field of conservation, biology and natural resources management, with some maturing into key decision makers. They work in almost every conservation institution and NGO in Cambodia. Over 40 conservation research projects have been undertaken by the CBC research group, over 80 research projects on conservation and sustainable natural resource management were conducted by MSc. students, and CBC has published 24 issues of peer-reviewed journals, one bird book and one manual. So far, the CBC research group and alumni have collectively published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles and two books. CBC holds the only scientific zoological collection in Cambodia, which holds 18 species new to science, and identified hundreds of species as new country records in Cambodia.

To ensure sustainability in conservation, research and capacity building, with help from FFI, CBC will develop its own organizational and operational structure with clear business plans. It is very important that the facility be able to manage large international grants that are critical to maintaining an independent CBC while the economy of Cambodia is still growing.

FFI is immensely proud of what has been achieved by the CBC and is extremely grateful for the support given by its donors and the commitment of its partners in government and RUPP. The CBC has proved to be a tremendous success over the last 15 years and FFI looks forward to seeing what the future brings as RUPP take over the management of the masters course and CBC moves towards being independently registered organization. We wish them both every success.

Sincerely,

Dr. Stephen BROWNE

Well Done Everyone

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Ms. LIM Thona, Cohort 8

We caught up with Ms. Thona Lim, MSc.in Biodiversity Conservation, Cohort 8, who specialized in Illegal Wildlife Trade in May 2016. We spoke about her practice, experiences, as a Researcher on Illegal Wildlife Trade, and how her practice has changed since earning her MSc.

How did a MSc. in BC develop my professional career?

“The Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation is such a great programme, which definitely provided me the broad skills and research experiences that brought me to my current professional career. In addition, this programme also helped me connect and network with other alumni and conservation organizations working in Cambodia. In fact, I also have seen all my classmates from the same cohort are enjoying the good positions in both the NGO field and government as researchers and conservationists.”

What has been the biggest honour in your career? And your greatest success?

“In 2018, I had the opportunity to be a research fellow with the Oxford Martin Programme on Illegal Wildlife Trade, University of Oxford in the UK. For my research project I worked on community behaviour change to reduce demand for the wildlife products. In 2017 and 2019, I was really honoured to receive awards for research grants from National Geographic Society for my projects which aim to tackle the illegal wildlife trade on bears in Cambodia.”

“We all have experienced sacrifices from the pandemic, from floods, drought, and storm. These are clear evidence of how we treat nature in the wrong way. So, we need everyone to commit a simple act of kindness to wildlife and nature, and it’s a priority.” by Ms. Thona Lim

Credit: Brian CRUDGE

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Ms. PEN Kaknika, Cohort 14

I come from a small, rural family in Bakong district, Siem Reap province. I am the only child who had an opportunity to get a higher education at RUPP. In 2018, I graduated from RUPP in biology major and then had a chance to go to Osaka University for an exchange program for 15 days.

After graduating, there was an opportunity as CBC had announced enrolment for the new cohort for 2019-2021. I am very interested in this program as it fits my goal for a successful career in higher education. I was accepted into the programme, and since have earned a one year internship at the CBC natural history museum under a SIDA scholarship. Two years of course and field work were meaningful and enjoyable with exciting seminars, an exchange programme to other countries and field work.

How did I pursue my degree?

Being patient is a good philosophy which I used to pursue my degree. However, I put my full effort in learning and focusing in the Biodiversity Conservation MSc. at RUPP. This give me an opportunity to enter the a Mycology programme in Japan. My learned focus gave me the discipline to press on and be completely successful in my thesis. I am so proud that I recognised both positive achievement in my thesis defense and that many fungi species are growing well on Cambodian palm samples. In addition, I am planning to publish my first paper in an international journal. My future ambition is to pursue a PhD. Degree and become a professional university lecturer.

WELCOME

CBC Project Manager, Ms. MEAS Seanghun

Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) are pleased to name Ms. Meas Seanghun the new Project Manager for the University Capacity Building Project (UCBP) / CBC, succeeding years of notable service in this role by Dr. Ith Saveng. Seanghun has been working as a lecturer in the Department of Biology, RUPP since 2009, and has extensive experience in academic teaching and research.

“I am honoured to be named as the new Project Manager of CBC. I have been overwhelmed with appreciation for the values that anchor and define this CBC community. I pledge during my time as Project Manager to continue the inspiring work of CBC’s vision. I will always be cognizant that our students and alumni are the epicenter of our conservation community. They are the reason we come together in this space and they are our greatest hope for a promising future. I can’t wait to get stared.”