On June 29, 2009, Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia and California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), USA, co-organize an International Conference on “Southeast Asia Service-Learning Institute”, presided over by H.E. Im Sethy, Minister of Education Youth, and Sports, Her Excellency Carol A. Rodley, US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Dr. Milton A. Gordon, President of California State University and Dr. Chea San Chanthan, PUC President. Around 500 national and international guests participate in the opening ceremony including administrators, NGOs staff, and students from the following Universities:

• Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia (Cambodia)
• California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), USA
• Hoa Sen University (Vietnam)
• University of Social Science & Humanities (Vietnam)
• University of Science, Vietnam National University (Vietnam)
• Bouthviset Collage (Laos)
• Sousaka College (Laos)

This international conference, which is funded by USAID in cooperation with Higher Education for Development, is aimed to give an opportunity for institutions of higher education to bring teams of up-to five members, consisting of faculty, students, administrations and community partners to discuss how to develop, enhance, and/or refine existing as well as new service-learning programs.

The Service Learning Institute is designed to encourage dialogue, exchange best practice, support campus teams and create a catalyst for sustained action so that once campus teams return to their home institute, they can develop a concrete action plan for implementing Service-Learning.

According to the President’s Declaration on the Civic Responsibility of Higher Education, Service Learning’s Visions are to:

1. Lead students to embrace the duties of action citizenship and civic participants
2. Take responsibility for helping students realize the values and skills of our democratic society and their need to claim ownership.
3. Educate students so that they understand how their knowledge can benefit society.
4. Respond to the needs of the community without a political agenda and with the intellectual and professional capacities today’s challenges so desperately demand.

In her remarks, US Ambassador points out that Service Learning is effective because it allows students to test the theories they learn in classrooms in real-life situations. It also helps students develop the leadership and personal skills they will need later in life. She added that since 2003, Paññāsāstra University and California State University Fullerton have demonstrated the value of academic exchange by cooperating on a service-learning program that has proven very successful.

In his speech, H.E. Im Sethy, Minister of Education of Youth, and Sports expresses his profound thanks for Dr. Chea San Chanthan, PUC President, his staff, and USAID that have made this international conference possible. He also fully appreciates PUC and other partners having tried to actively cooperate with the Royal Government of Cambodia in developing and strengthening skills and abilities needed for better community as core pillar of the country.

Around a hundred people from The United States, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos take part in this five-day service learning, which falls on three main sessions and four tracks: administration, faculty, community partner, and student.

On the second day the divided participants approach eight different NGOs and do some real practice of the service learning. On days 3&4, after playing, teaching and working closely with the poor and disabled children, the participants study the feasibility of their work in order to find out what has worked, what has not worked and what should be improved for a better service learning. On day 5, each team conducts a short presentation on how they will be implementing service-learning at their home situation.