News and Activities

International Research Collaboration Culminates in PHC Final Conference on Monetary Innovations

Posted on by Academic Coordinator
24
Oct

The Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE) and the Institute for Banking Studies (IBS) recently hosted the final conference for the two-year Franco-Cambodian research partnership, the PHC Tonle Sap project, on October 21st and 22nd, 2025. The event centered on the theme “Monetary Innovations in Support of Riel Promotion, Financial Inclusion and Green Financing”, marking the successful conclusion of the ambitious project.

The project, officially titled “Digital Monetary Innovations for De-dollarization, Inclusion, and Energy Transition in Cambodia,” was a joint initiative under the Hubert Curien Partnership, embodying the spirit of collaboration between the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS) and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). The core research team from RULE’s Duals’ Degree Department in Economics and Management partnered with the French Pacte Research Laboratory (CNRS, UGA, Sciences Po Grenoble), alongside the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon and Sciences Po Lyon.

The conference’s opening ceremony underscored the importance of this international cooperation. Dignitaries present included S.E. SOEUN Sophorn, Vice-Rector of RULE, H.E. Dr. SANN Vathana, Secretary of State, MoEYS, and H.E. Pierre VINCENT, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy in Cambodia. Their presence, as stated by the host, demonstrated the commitment of both ministries to advancing academic excellence. Special appreciation was given to Professor Jean-François Ponsot of the University Grenoble Alpes (UGA), acknowledged as the “architect” of the successful proposal, whose extensive network and dedication were instrumental to the program.

Throughout the two days, participants engaged in rich academic sessions and roundtables held at both the Royal University of Law and Economics and the Institute for Banking Studies. Presentations covered a wide array of critical topics, including:

  • Challenges of Education in Cambodia: A dedicated roundtable focused on Financial Literacy and Banking Stability through Financial Education , highlighting the imperative of equipping students and the public with essential financial skills.
  • Monetary Challenges: Discussions addressed “Cambodian Monetary Sovereignty Under Pressure: The Triple Challenge of Dollarization, Yuan Expansion, and Cryptoization”, and the historical context of the country’s “monetary plurality”.
  • Digital and Green Economy: Research focused on leveraging FinTech to build a resilient and inclusive low-carbon economy, and macroeconomic challenges for planning the green transition in Cambodia.
  • Financial Sector Development: Sessions included a roundtable on the challenges of education in Cambodia regarding financial literacy and banking stability, as well as a retrospective on the “Banking Sector Transformation in Cambodia – A 25-Year Perspective”.

In concluding the event, speakers celebrated the project as a success in advancing educational excellence and university cooperation. The collaborative framework fostered regular exchanges, joint seminars, and co-production of research outputs. RULE views the successful completion of the two-year project as the “cornerstone of a long-standing research partnership”, committed to inspiring future projects that address pressing national challenges. The outcomes re-affirm the vital role of international educational partnerships in cultivating the intellectual capital necessary for Cambodia’s sustainable development and economic transformation.

The following individuals participated as speakers, moderators, or panelists during the two-day conference:

  • S.E. SOEUN Sophorn, Vice-Rector, RULE
  • H.E. SANN Vathana, Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS)
  • H.E. Pierre VINCENT, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs, French Embassy in Cambodia
  • Pr. Jean-François PONSOT, UGA (Université Grenoble Alpes)
  • Assoc. Pr. Dr SRUN Sopheak, Deputy Head of Research Publication and Innovation Office, RULE
  • Pr. Jérome BLANC, Professor, Sciences-Po Lyon
  • Dr. LAY Sok Heng, Director General of Regulation and Financial Inclusion, National Bank of Cambodia
  • Dr. SEANG Sothearath, Lecturer at RULE
  • Dr. Guilherme MAGACHO, PhD in Economics, Cambridge, Economist at the French Agency for Development – AFD
  • Dr. Clément BERTHOU, PhD in Economics UGA / IBS
  • Dr. Maxime DUVAL, PhD in Economics – Paris Nanterre University
  • Dr Daiju AIBA, PhD in Economics JICA / NBC
  • Dr PHON Sophat, PhD in Economics, IBS
  • Mr. KOK Tha, CEO, FHF Capital PLC.
  • Mr. NITH Kosal, Research Associate CDRI
  • Mr. Laurent MESMANN, Special Advisor to the Rector, RULE
  • Ms. Ratana PHURIK-CALLEBAUT, Director, ACLEDA Institute of Business
  • Mr. Blaise KILIAN, Co-Director, SOSORO Museum
  • Mr. Nitin MADAN, Director, Responsible Inclusive Finance Facility for Southeast Asia (RIFF-SEA)
  • Mrs. Isabelle FERRAUDO, PhD Researcher in Economics, UGA
  • Mr. Michel DABADIE, Co-Director, Institute for Banking Studies
  • Mr. KHOU Vouthy, Director General of Policy and International Cooperation, National Bank of Cambodia
  • Mr. Julien LUSSIEZ, PhD Researcher in Economics, PARAGON University
  • Mr. MEN Pheakdey, Director of the Consumer Protection Department, National Bank of Cambodia
  • Mr. Stephen HIGGINS, Managing Partner Mekong Strategic Capital
  • Mr. YIN Virak, Group Chief Treasury Officer of ACLEDA Bank Plc.